Burns Injury

Question 1

Define burns injury.

Answer 1

Burns are very common injuries, predominantly to the skin and superficial tissues, caused by heat from hot liquids, flame, or contact with heated objects, electrical current, or chemicals.

Question 2

Explain the aetiology/risk factors of burns injury.

Answer 2

Thermal burns
Electrical burns
Chemical burns
Non-accidental burns

Question 3

Summarise the epidemiology of burns injury.

Answer 3

In the UK, 250,000 people are injured by burns. Approximately 175,000 people visit accident and emergency departments with burn injuries. Around 13,000 of them are admitted to hospital for treatment.

Question 4

Recognise the presenting symptoms of burns injury. Recognise the signs of burns injury on physical examination.

Answer 4

Pain
Redness

Question 5

Identify appropriate investigations for burns injury and interpret the results.

Answer 5

Full blood count
Metabolic panel
Carboxyhaemoglobin
Arterial blood gas
Fluorescein staining
Computed tomography scan of head and spine
Wound biopsy culture
Wound histology