burns + transplant Flashcards
what are the types of burns?
- thermal
- chemical
- smoke inhalation injury
- electrical
- cold thermal
what are the common causes of thermal burns?
- flame
- flash
- scald
- contact with hot objects
thermal burns are the most common type of burn injury
true
what are the factors that affect the severity of burn injury?
- temperature of burning agent
- duration of contact
partial thickness burn
full thickness burn
what are the common causes of chemical burns?
contact with
* acids
* alkalis
* organic compounds
why are alkali burns more difficult to manage?
leads to protein hydrolysis & melting
where are alkalis most commonly found?
- cement
- oven cleaners
- drain cleaners
- heavy metal cleaners
which organic compounds can be found in alkalis?
- phenols
- petroleum products
a patient arrives in the ED following an accidental fall in wet cement at a construction site, what type of burn injury does the nurse expect to be sustained?
chemical burn
what are the causes of smoke inhalation injury?
inhaling
* hot air
* noxious chemicals
what types of complications following a smoke inhalation injury can rapidly develop?
- airway compromise
- pulmonary edema
what are the types of smoke inhalation injuries?
(3)
- upper airway
- lower airway
- metabolic asphyxiation
how does metabolic asphyxiation occur?
CO & hydrogen cyanide are inhaled
metabolic asphyxiation can lead to what complications?
- hypoxia
- elevated carboxyhemoglobin levels
carboxyhemoglobin levels of greater than 20% leads to imminent death
true
definition
upper airway injury
injury to mouth, oropharynx, & larynx
a physical assessment of a patient in the ED reveals their oral mucosa is red, blistered, & edematous, what type of injury did they sustain?
upper airway injury from smoke inhalation
why is the nurse’s priority in caring for a patient with an upper airway injury from smoke inhalation to ensure patent airway?
eschar & edema from the injury will quickly obstruct the airway and compromise breathing
definition
lower aiway injury
injury to
* trachea
* bronchioles
* alveoli
how long does it typically take for pulmonary edema to manifest following a lower airway injury?
12-48 hours
pulmonary edema from lower airway injury first manifests as
ARDS
definition
electrical burns
injury from intense heat generated from an electric current
electrical burns will result in damage to nerves & vessels
true