Burns Flashcards
Types of thermal burns
flame, scalding, thermal contact
Type of burn where temperature causes direct damage to the skin and sometimes the underlying tissue. Pattern varies.
thermal
Type of burn caused by an acid, alkali, or organic compound. Sporadic pattern
chemical
Type of burn caused by contact with high voltage or low voltage electricity or lightning strike
electrical
Burn where there is damage due to radiant energy such as nuclear explosions or contact with radioactive materials
radiation
depth of burn that involves superficial epidermis layer, erythema (red), no blister, sensitive, spontaneous healing
first degree
depth of burn that involves superficial partial thickness or deep partial thickness, erythema, blister, painful, wet/moist, edema, re-epithelializes in 14-20 days. At the dermal layer.
second degree
depth of burn where there is full thickness, white brown/charred, leather appearance, NO blisters, insensate, affected areas depressed, produces granulation tissue, will need grafting. Can heal in months/ years but with increased chance of infection. Down at epithelial level into the fat and muscle. No pain because they burnt all their nerve endings
third degree
depth of burn where there is involvement of muscle, tendon, bone and fascia or exposure of deeper structures. Will often require local or distant tissue flaps for reconstruction – skin grafts must have a good bed for survival. Often requires amputation of involved extremity or digit
fourth degree
toxic epidermal necrolysis, mimics partial thickness thermal injury, clinical symptoms are fever, systemic toxicity and cutaneous lesions, result of allergic reaction to a drug
TENS or Steven Johnson’s Syndrome
Burn patients need __ times the normal protein intake
3
use of water (set at 100 degrees) in a tub or running water for wound cleansing and debridement
hydrotherapy
type of debridement using soft or sharp objects to expose healthy skin. Sharp is using tweezers or scissors to pull off skin. Soft is using wet gauze pads and rubbing the skin.
mechanical
type of debridement using topical ointments, i.e. silvadene. Debriding agent. Put on after mechanical debridement.
enzymatic
type of debridement performed by Dr under anesthesia. Takes scalpel and removes skin to get down to bloody bed.
surgical
Fleshy projections formed on the surface of the wound which represent the outgrowth of new capillaries by budding from the existing capillaries and cells which will later become fibrous scar tissue
granulation
location from where skin is excised to then be relocated to cover the burn
donor site
Donors heal in approximately __-__ days
7-10
the fibrous tissue replacing normal tissues destroyed by injury or disease
scarring
characteristics of the ideal scar
- Flat
- Supple
- Light in color
- Vascularity
- Repigmentation to natural color
characteristics of a problematic scar
- Raised
- Yielding or firm
- Banding
- Very vascular – reds and pinks, painful, itchy
when should ROM be performed?
every day
when should you begin AROM?
when pt is alert
when should you perform PROM?
when pt is not alert
What does the patient need in order to perform weight lifting or heavy work activities
compression
an incision with a scalpel through eschar down to subcutaneous tissue, continue ROM but without dressings to view any signs of wound stress, no ambulation if on legs. They release the skin to allow for blood flow to continue and prevent nerve damage.
escharotomy
an incision with a scalpel through eschar down to the fascia, seen in deep injuries such as electrical contact, minimal to no ROM depending on Dr recommendation
fasciotomy
what burn degrees would you use pressure therapy on?
2nd or 3rd
for how many hours must pressure garments be worn?
23 1/2
what can cause blisters?
Inadequate pressure – most often on donor sites
Bumping or shearing
Resistance without compression
Infection – look for redness, pustules, pus
hypertrophic scar that has exceeded beyond the borders of the original scar
keloid scar
excessive production or collagen fibers that assumes a disorganized orientation producing a raised irregular appearance and inelastic quality
hypertrophic
what can cause rashes?
Continued use of medication when healed
Overuse of oily lotions (Elta)
Detergent reactions
