Chapter 29 - Burns

Question 1

tough leathery burned skin - dead soft tissue formed in the full-thickness burn injury

Answer 1

eschar

Question 2

burn injuries involving the skin are classified as superficial (_______ degree) partial-thickness (_____ degree) or full thickness (______ degree)

Answer 2

first degree
second degree
third degree

Question 3

burn that only involves the epidermis. usually caused by a flash (a sudden occurence of heat or flame lasting only a few seconds), hot liquid or the sun

Answer 3

superficial burn

Question 4

burn that involves not only the epidermis but also portions of the dermis. occur from contact with fire (flame or flash), hot liquids or objects, chemical substances, or the sun.

Answer 4

partial-thickness burn

Question 5

s/s
thin-walled blisters result from superficial dermal layer changes

skin is pink and moist (moisture is caused by small leaks in the capillary beds caused by the burn.)

skin is soft and tender to touch. (skin resiliency and hydration are normally preserved, but the skin will be more tender to the touch

Answer 5

superficial partial-thickness burns

Question 6

s/s
thick-walled blisters often rupture. (the more severe nature of the blisters occurs because the dermis is injured at a greater depth, and they tend to rupture with any body motion or accidental friction because of their large size

skin is red and blanched white. (deeper levels of the epidermis and dermis are injured.)

the pt can still feel pressure at the site (pain receptors in the dermis may now be damaged and less responsive in some situations, but pressure receptors are found deeper in the dermis and may still be intact.)

there is poor cap refill to the burn site. (increased edema starts to compromise cap beds in the vicinity of the burn.

Answer 6

deep partial-thickness burns

Question 7

burn that involves all three layers of the skin. results from contact with extreme heat sources such as hot liquids or solids, flame, chemicals, or electricity.

Answer 7

full-thickness burn

Question 8

the most important factors to consider in determining burn severity are:
1
2
3
4
5

Answer 8

depth of burn
location of the burn
pt age
preexisting med condition
% of body surface area involved

Question 9

a standardized way to quickly determine the amount of skin surface, or the body surface area percentage of a burn

Answer 9

the rule of nines

Question 10

the concept that the area of a pts palm is equal to about 1% of his body surface area; a way to quickly identify the amount of skin or body surface area that has been burned.

Answer 10

rule of ones

Question 11

5 major types of burns

Answer 11

thermal 
inhalation
chemical
electrical
radiation

Question 12

burn associated with heat applied to the body

Answer 12

thermal burns

Question 13

burn associated with high temp air or steam that is inhaled and causes damage to the mucosa of the upper airway.

Answer 13

inhalation burns

Question 14

burns produced by acids, alkalis, and other heat-generating chemicals.

Answer 14

chemical burn

Question 15

burn that results from resistance to electrical current flow in the body. the burns are primarily internal

Answer 15

electrical burn

Question 16

burn that occurs from the absorption of radiation into the body

Answer 16

radiation burns

Question 17

burns may be caused by a variety of mechanisms:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Answer 17

flame 
contact
scald
steam
gas
electrical
flash

Question 18

burn s/s:
pink or red dry skin
slight swelling
pain and tenderness to touch

Answer 18

superficial burn

Question 19

burn s/s:
white to cherry red skin
moist and mottled skin
blistering and intense pain

Answer 19

partial-thickness burns

Question 20

burn s/s:
dry, hard, tough, and leathery skin that may appear white and waxy to dark brown or black and charred (eschar)
inability to feel pain because of damaged nerve endings
pain on peripheral edges of burns

Answer 20

full-thickness burns

Question 21

burn s/s:
singed nasal hairs
facial burns
burned specks of carbon in the sputum
a sooty or smoky smell on breath
resp distress
presence of actual burns of the oral mucosa

Answer 21

inhalation injuries

Question 22

commercially prepared sterile, particle-free, disposable sheet, used to cover the entire body in severe burn injuries

Answer 22

burn sheet