Burns Flashcards
At what age is survival rate best for burns?
age 15-45
Which people are at greatest risk for burns?
Children
Elderly
Diabetics
What total body area is survival best if burns are less than?
Survial best if <20% of total body area
What are some types of burns?
Thermal
Chemical
Electrical
Radiation
What causes a thermal burn?
Exposure to flame or hot object
What causes a chemical burn?
Exposure to acid, alkali, or organic substances
What causes an electrical burn?
result from the conversion of electrical energy into heat. Extent of injury depends on the type of current, the pathway of flow, local tissue resistance, and duration of contact
What causes radiation burns?
result from radiant energy being transferred to the body resulting in production of cellular toxins
What factors influence the severity of the injury?
Depth of wound Size of wound Age of patient Past medical history Location of burn injury Associated trauma
What are the three factors that burns are classified according to?
1 to depth of injury
2 extent of the body surface area involved
3 severity
What are the five levels of burn depth?
Superficial Superficial-partial thickness Deep partial thickness Full thickness 4th degree
What are the characteristics of superficial burns? (Used to be called first degree)
Epidermal tissue only affected
Erythema, blanching on pressure, mild swelling
no vesicles or blister initially
Not serious unless large areas involved
i.e. sunburnWhat are characteristics of deep partial thickness burns? (used to be called second degree)
*Involves the epidermis and deep layer of the dermis
Fluid-filled vesicles –red, shiny, wet, severe pain
Hospitalization required if over 25% of body surface involved
i.e. tar burn, flame
What are the characteristics of full thickness burns? (Third/fourth degree)
Destruction of all skin layers
Requires immediate hospitalization
Dry, waxy white, leathery, or hard skin, no pain
Exposure to flames, electricity or chemicals can cause full thickness burns
Fourth degree burns involve bones (burnt bones)
How is the extent of the body surface burn injury calculated?
Expressed by percentage of total body surface area (TBSA) burned
This is calculated and documented on specific body charts,such as
“rule of nines”
Lund-Browder chart
“palmer surface”
How is the severity of a burn determined?
Severity of burn injury is determined by the depth and total body surface area burned (TBSA).
What are three classifications of burn severity?
Minor
Moderate
Major
What are characteristics/criteria for minor burns?
< 15% if the total BSA Full thickness burns < 2% No involvement of eyes, face, hands, feet or perineum No pre-existing medical conditions Adult < 50 years old No other injury associated with burn
What are characteristics/criteria for moderate burns?
< 25% of BSA full thickness burns < 10% no involvement of eyes, face, hands, feet or perineum no pre-existing medical conditions adult < 50 years old no other injury associated with burn
What are characteristics/criteria for major burns?
> 25% of BSA
full thickness > 10 %
involvement of eyes, face, hands, feet or perineum
caused by electricity
50 years old
accompanied by other injuries or inhalation burns
has pre-existing medical conditions
What are the three stages of burn care? (they overlap)
Emergent
Acute
rehabilitation
What is the emergent stage of burn care?
From onset of injury to completion of fluid resuscitation
ABCs of trauma care
Critical management of the burn wound is essential at the time of the injury
What are the immediate problems during the emergent phase of burn care?
Immediate problem is fluid loss, edema, reduced blood flow (fluid and electrolyte shifts)
What are the goals of the emergent phase of burn care?
Secure airway Support circulation by fluid replacement Keep client comfortable with analgesics Prevent infection through wound care Maintain body temperature Provide emotional support
