Dermatology Flashcards
First degree burn
dry, red, no blisters
-involves the epidermis only
Second degree burn
= partial thickness burn
moist, blisters, extends beyond the epidermis
Third degree burn
= full thickness burn
dry, leathery, black, pearly, waxy
extends from epidermis to dermis to underlying tissues, fat, muscle, and/or bone
Rule of 9s to measure the extent of burn body surface injury only applies after the age of
9
Primary management of burns
- Assess ABCs. Intubate if necessary.
- Drench the burn thoroughly with cool (not icey) water to prevent further damage and remove all burn clothing - this stops the burn.
- Do NOT cover with lotion, toothpaste, butter, etc.
- If the burn is limited, immerse the site in cold water for 30 minutes to reduce pain; then, apply a clean wrap.
- If the area of the burn is large, after it has been doused with cool water, apply clean wraps about the burned area to prevent systematic heat loss and hypothermia.
- Hypothermia is a particular risk in young children.
- The first 6 hours following the injury are critical - transport a patient with severe burns to the hospital ASAP.
Burn patients will require prophylactic intubation if
- singed nares or eyebrows
- evaluate nares/mouth for soot/mucous
Evaluation of skin disorders must identify what 3 things?
Morphology
Configuration
Distribution
Morphology
The character of the lesion itself
Macule
A flat discoloration
ex: ephelides (freckles), petechia, flat nevi (moles)
Patch
A flat discoloration that looks as thought it is a collection of multiple, tiny pigment changes
- may be some subtle surface change
ex: Mongolian spot, cafe au lait spot
Nodule
An elevated, firm lesion > 1 cm
ex: Xanthoma and fibroma
Tumor
A firm, elevated lump
ex: benign or malignant
Papule
A small < 1 cm, elevated, firm skin lesion
ex: ant bite, elevated nevus (mole), verruca (wart)
Plaque
A scaly, elevated lesion
ex: classic psoriasis lesion
Vesicle
A small < 1 cm lesion filled with serous fluid (clear liquid)
ex: herpes simplex, varicella (chicken pox), herpes zoster (shingles)
Bulla
Serous fluid-filled vesicle > 1 cm
- a big vesicle
ex: burns, superficial blister, contact dermatitis
Wheal
A lesion raises about the surface and extending a bit below the epidermis
- many times an allergic reaction/response (either contact or systemic
ex: PPD test and mosquito bites
Pustule
A small < 1 cm pus-filled lesion
ex: acne and impetigo
Abscess
A pus-filled lesion > 1 cm
*a great big pustule
Cyst
Large, raised lesions filled with serous fluid, blood, and pus
Primary lesion
First appearing
Secondary lesions
Follows primary lesions
Configuration
How the lesions present on the body
Solitary or discrete configuration
Individual or distinct lesions that remain separate