Burns Flashcards
What are the 3 types of burn injuries?
- Thermal
- Chemical
- Electrical
What do thermal burn injuries result from?
direct/indirect contact with flame, hot liquid, or steam
Thermal burn injury severity is influenced by what 3 things?
- Contact time
- Temperature
- Type of insult
Only 1 second of exposure to temperatures above ___ degrees can cause a full-thickness burn
158
What 4 things can cause a chemical burn injury?
- acids
- bases
- industrial accidents
- assaults
Chemical burns are ____ likely to cause full-thickness damage
more
What is the severity of a chemical burn injury related to?
the contact time with the skin, as well as the type, concentration, and amount of chemical
Are acidic or alkali burns more severe?
alkali
Because chemical burns continue to burn until the substance is removed or diluted, what is suggested?
thoroughly irrigate for 20-30 minutes
What are the 2 types of electrical burns?
low and high voltage
How do electrical burns typically present?
a depressed or charred entrance wound and a larger, explosive-appearing exit wound
Describe what happens to deeper tissues affected by an electrical burn
They are often times damaged even if the skin does not appear to be due to differences in resistance
The severity of an electrical injury depends on what 3 things?
- type of current
- duration of contact
- voltage
Does an alternating or direct current penetrate the skin more readily and produce 3 times the amount of tissue damage?
alternating
High voltage injuries result from currents greater than ____ volts
1000
What are the 2 ways in which burn injuries are classified?
- depth of injury
- burn size
Clinicians should be cautious with their assessment of burn depth immediately after chemical exposure because it takes up to __-__ hours for a chemical burn to fully develop
24-72
What are the 5 burn classifications according to depth? (from most superficial to deepest)
- superficial
- superficial partial-thickness
- deep partial thickness
- full-thickness
- subdermal
What layers of the skin are involved in a superficial burn?
the epidermis only
Superficial burns fit into what Integumentary practice pattern?
B
Describe the characteristics of a superficial burn
Dry, bright red, or pink skin that blanches under pressure
Superficial burns resolve within - days without scarring
3-5
What are 2 examples of superficial burns?
- sunburn
- minor flash burn
What layers of the skin are involved in a superficial partial-thickness burn?
epidermis and part of the dermis
Superficial partial-thickness burns fit into what Integumentary practice pattern?
C
Describe the characteristics of a superficial partial-thickness burn
Painful, moist, weeping, blistered skin with local erythema and edema that blanches to pressure with immediate capillary refill
Superficial partial-thickness burns resolve within __-__ days with minimal or no scarring
10-14
What are 4 examples of superficial partial-thickness burns?
- severe sunburns
- brief contact burns
- flash burns
- brief contact with dilute chemicals
What layers of the skin are involved in a deep partial-thickness burn?
epidermis and part of the dermis
Deep partial-thickness burns fit into what Integumentary practice pattern?
C
Describe the physical characteristics of a deep partial-thickness burn
Mottled areas of red with white eschar, blistering possible, may have areas of insensitivity or be painful that blanches to pressure with immediate capillary refill
Deep partial-thickness burns may take _ or more weeks to heal and are often characterized by scarring, pigment changes, and contractures
3
What are 3 examples of deep partial-thickness burns?
- severe sunburns
- scald
- flash burns
- brief contact with dilute chemicals
Other than the physical appearance how can the clinician determine whether or not a burn is superficial or deep partial-thickness?
Both blanch to pressure, however superficial burns demonstrate immediate capillary refill, whereas deep demonstrates slow capillary refill
What layers of the skin are involved in a full-thickness burn?
epidermis and the entire dermis