Burns

Question 1

What are jackons 3 zones of burns?

Answer 1

1. Central area of zone of coagulation - the zone closest to the burn
2. Surrounding area of zone of stasis -
3. Outwrmost zone of hyperemia - zone of vasodilation secondary to imflammation

Question 2

What techniques are used to assess the extent of a burn?

Answer 2

1. Palmar rules
   - Quick estimation
   Takes the patients hand as being 1% of the skin and use this to estimate the burn distribution
2. Rule of 9s (age 10 upwards)
   18% Anterior trunk
   18& posterior trunk
   9% each upper limb
   18& each lower limb
   9% head
   1% perineum
3. Lund and browder chart
   - Divides the body into differernt areas of different percentages
   - Paediatric also abailabel

Question 3

What are the degrees of thickness of burns?

Answer 3

1. Epidermal
2. Superficial dermal
3. Mid dermal
4. Deep dermal
5. Full thickness

Question 4

Which thickness of burns are painful?

Answer 4

Epidermal

Superficial dermal

Question 5

Are superficial burns included in your extent of burn?

Answer 5

No

Only partial thickness and full thickness

Question 6

Why is ice not used to irrigate burns?

Answer 6

Causes vasoconstriction

Question 7

How are fluids lost in burns?

Answer 7

Acute inflammatory response causes vasodilation and increased permeability. This causes fluid shift from vessels to extracellular soace which causes oedema and reduces circulating volume which leads to inadequate tissue perfusion and shock

Question 8

What % of burns do you need fluids?

Answer 8

10% in children

15% in adults

Question 9

How do you calculate the fluid requirement of someone with burns?

Answer 9

Parkland formula  (fluid requirement in first 24 hours) 
Total body surface area of the burn % x weight x 4. Half of tis fluid should be given in the first 8 hours