Burns-Test 2 Flashcards
How many burn injuries require medical treatment in the US each year?
450,000-500,000
Who is at the highest risk for burns?
Industrial workers
What is the pathophysiology of a burn?
Body absorbs the energy from a heat source
Which then results in tissue coagulation
Coagulation of tissue is depicted in zones
What are the different zones correlated with burns?
Zone of coagulation (highest pressure in the middle)
Zone of stasis
Zone of hyperemia
What occurs in the zone of coagulation?
- Located in the center of the burn
- Tissue is irreversibly damaged (may require skin grafts to heal)
Which zone does the greatest amount of damage occur?
Zone of coagulation
*could be equivalent to a full thickness burn
What is the tissue called that is nonviable in the zone of coagulation?
Eschar
dead cells on top
T/F Zone of coagulation does not have a high risk of infection?
FALSE
T/F specialized burn center care is likely required?
TRUE
What is eschar?
Devitalized tissue consisting of plasma and necrotic cells
Constrictive (shrinks in on itself)
What does eschar feel like?
Dry, leathery, and rigid
What color is eschar?
Vary from black to deep red to white
What does white eschar indicate?
total ischemia of that area (basically just dead cells sitting on top)
*this will depend on the severity of the burn
Does the healing process change with eschar?
Yes, it may be slowed, or may prevent, progression through the normal phases of healing
Where is the zone of stasis found?
surrounds the zone of coagulation
T/F is the tissue viable in zone of stasis?
True
Marginally viable tissue
What are three other ways that tissue can be further damaged in the zone of stasis?
Edema
Infection
Hypoperfusion
Without treatment injured cells in the zone of stasis may die within _______ hours from injury
24-48
T/F Pressure from dressings, splints, or compression badges can compromise/kill involved tissue?
TRUE
Where is the zone of hyperemia located?
outermost area of the burn (least amount of damage)
T/F it takes a long time for the zone of hyperemia to heal?
False
*generally heals rapidly unless additional tissue injury occurs or patient has other co-morbidities that will delay normal wound healing
1st degree=?
superficial (epidermal) burn
2nd degree=?
both partial-thickness burns
3rd degree=?
full-thickness and subnormal burns
Depth of burns(5)
Superficial (epidermal) superficial partial-thickness Deep partial-thickness Full-thickness Subdermal
What layer is affected with a superficial burn?
cell damage only to the epidermis
**best example–simple sunburn