Exam 3 Flashcards
Where do most burn injuries occur
At home 73%
Industry-related (work) 8%
Recreational accidents 5%
Other sources 14%
What affects severity of burn injuries
Age (young and old people more morbidity and mortality bc thin skin)
Burn depth
TBSA
Inhalation injury
Presence of other injuries
Location of injury in special care areas (face, perineum, hands, feet)
Presence of a chronic illness (DM, bad for wound healing)
Adults with >40% TBSA high risk for m&m
First degree burn
superficial
Epidermis is intact or partially injured
Sunburn or superficial scald
Red, tender, peeling, itching, minimal or no edema, possible blisters (a positive Nikolsky’s sign, upper layer can be separated from lower layers by smearing it).
Complete recovery within a week; no scarring
Second degree burn
partial thickness
Destruction of the epidermis and portion of dermis
Scalds, flash flame contact
Blistered, mottled red base; weeping surface; edema
Recovery 2-3 wks; some scarring and depigmentation
Possible, may require grafting
Third degree burn
Full-thickness
Flame, prolonged exposure to hot liquids, electric current, chemical contact
Total destruction of epidermis and dermis and, in some cases, destruction of connective tissue and muscle (these two things are under the epidermis and dermis)
Painless and lacks sensation–nerve fibers destroyed. Shock. Myoglobinuria (red pigment in urine) and possible hemolysis.
Possible contact points (entrance or exit wounds in electrical burns).
Dry; pale white, red brown, leathery, or charred; coagulated vessels may be visible
Require skin grafting for healing
Fourth degree burn
Deep burn necrosis
Prolong exposure or high voltage electrical injury
Deep tissue, muscle and bone affected
Shock, myoglobinuria and possible hemolysis
Charred
Amputations likely
Grafting of no benefit, given depth and severity of wound(s).
Rule of nines
11 nines and 1% for perineum
4.5% front and back of head (9)
4.5% front and back of arm (9)
4.5% front and back of arm (9)
18% front of midsection (two 9s’)
18% back of midsection (two 9’s)
9% front of leg (9)
9% back of leg (9)
9% front of leg (9)
9% back of leg (9)
Major burn injuries
Adults with greater than 40% TBSA burned are at high risk for morbidity and mortality.
Burns exceed 30% TBSA produce both a local and a systemic response and are considered major burn injuries
Cardiovascular burn shock
Hypovolemia (inflammation > leaky capillaries > fluid moves out of vasculature > third spacing)
Increased capillary permeability (cells stay in, plasma leaves)
Decreased CO and BP
Additional findings include hypotension and tachycardia
Initial fluid and electrolyte changes
Hct and Hgb–elevated due to loss of fluid volume and fluid shifts into interstitial space (third spacing)
sodium–decreased due to third spacing (hyponatremia) sodium follows water
potassium–increased due to cell destruction (hyperkalemia)
Later fluid and electrolyte changes
Hgb and Hct–decreased due to fluid shift from interstitial space back into vascular fluid
Serum sodium levels vary in response to fluid resuscitation.
Potassium–decreased due to fluid shift and inadequate potassium replacement.
Blood glucose–elevated due to stress response
Total protein and albumin–low
Compartment syndrome and edema in burn
When edema develops: monitor for circulation: as the taut, burned tissue can act like a tourniquet, especially if the burn is circumferential.
Treatment for edema
Elevating the affect limb
In severe cases: escharotomy (cutting through the eschar) or
Fasciotomy (deeper incision through fascia to relieve muscle constriction)—to restore tissue perfusion
Pulmonary alterations with burn
Can be either thermal or/and chemical
Thermal inhalation injury:
findings may include singed hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes; a sooty appearance to sputum; hoarseness, and wheezing.
Treatment of inhalation injury
Oxygenation, encourage the patient to cough
Monitor the patient closely and continuously
What to watch for in inhalation injury
airway management is the priority
watch for ARDS and pneumonia
increased secretions and inflammation
CO poisoning
suspected if the injury took place in an enclosed area
findings include erythema (pink or cherry red color skin) and upper airway edema, followed by sloughing of respiratory tract mucosa
hgb carries 4 oxygen, which are now occupied by CO
Normal pulse ox
Treatment of CO poisoning
100% oxygen
Burn unit referral criteria
partial thickness burns greater than 10%
burns that involve the face, hands, feet, genitalia, perineum, or major joints
third-degree burns in any age group
electrical burns
chemical burns
inhalation injury
with pre existing medical disorders
concomitant trauma
Emergency Procedures at the Burn Scene
use cool water (can use cool clean towels or sheets, never use ice or cold soaks for longer than several mins)
Remove restrictive objects like jewelry and piercings (circulation!)
Cover wound w clean cloth to prevent contamination and hypothermia
Irrigate chemical burns with lots of water
Educate family to monitor for infection
Don’t use greasy lotions or butter on burn
Tetanus and immunization status
Emergent/Resuscitative phase of burns (interventions)
oxygenation, secretions removal, bronchodilation are URGENT!!
Fluids for emergent phase of burn
Lactated Ringers preferred: sodium, potassium, chloride, lactate (bicarbonate)
higher pH 6.5 than NS (5.0); patients may be in metabolic acidosis and the metabolized lactate will buffer the acidosis
Urine output for burn pts
0.5-1ml/kg/hr–for thermal and chemical burn
75-100 ml/hr for electrical injuries
Acute/Intermediate phase of burns
From beginning of diuresis to near completion of wound closure
Priorities:
-Wound care and closure
-Prevention or treatment of complications
-Nutritional support so they don’t burn their own muscles
Late pulmonary complications secondary to inhalation injuries
Hyperthermia is common (resetting of the core body temperature)
Pain management for burns
Avoid IM or subcutaneous injections (maintain skin integrity)
Use intravenous opioid analgesics such as morphine sulfate, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), and fentanyl (Sublimaze)
Monitor for respiratory depression.
The use of patient-controlled analgesia is appropriate for some clients.
½ hour prior to wound care or cleaning so procedure can go smoothly
Infection prevention for burns
top priority
restrict plants and flowers due to the risk of contact with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (gram-negative rod)
Green line something?
restrict consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables
limit visitors
administer tetanus shot if indicated
After burns infection
intestinal mucosal becomes permeable
microbial flora and endotoxins can pass freely into the systemic circulation and causing infection
We want bacteria to stay in the GI tract. If it leaves the GI tract it’s bad and can lead to infection (translocation). Can go to cardiovascular system and be bad
What can bacterial infection from the patient’s intestinal tract lead to and prevention of
bacterial translocation and endotoxemia–septic shock
early enteral feeding is important to keep the GI lining intact and prevent that permeability
Nutritional support after burn
The client who has a large area of burn injury will be in a hypermetabolic and hypercatabolic state. The client may need 8,000 calories per day.
Prevent hypoglycemia
Increase protein intake to prevent tissue breakdown and to promote healing
May lose weight during recovery (fat catabolized, fluids lost, lowered caloric intake)
Restoration of mobility after burn
Maintain correct body alignment, splint extremities, and facilitate position changes to prevent contractures.
Maintain active and passive range of motion.
Assist with ambulation as soon as the client is stable.
Apply pressure dressings to prevent contractures and scarring
Monitor areas at high risk for pressure sores
Wound cleaning for burns
hydrotherapy (shower for ambulatory or shower carts for non)
intact blisters should be left alone
remove non viable loose skin
warm running water (watch for hypothermia)
use mild soap or detergent to gently wash burns and then rinse with room-temperature water
encourage the client to exercise joints during the hydrotherapy treatment
Lotion only for intact skin, not for these people
Special ointments used
silver sulfadiazine 1% (Silvadene)
for burns
most bactericidal agent
minimal penetration of eschar
contraindicate with allergies to sulfa
used with occlusive dressings
silver nitrate 0.5%
for burns
bacteriostatic (stop the bacteria from reproducing) and fungicidal
inexpensive
does not penetrate eschar
stains clothing and linen
discolors wound, making assessment difficult
painful on application
Mafenide acetate 5% to 10% (Sulfamylon)
for burns
effective against gram-negative and gram-positive organisms
diffuses rapidly through eschar
10% drug of choice for electrical burns
used on wounds exposed to air
used as a solution for occlusive dressings to keep the dressing moist
Bacitracin
for burns
used on wounds exposed to air or with modified dressings
maintains joint mobility
bacteriostatic against gram-positive organisms
painless and easy to apply
limited effectiveness on gram-negative organisms
Wound dressing for burns
clean then patted dry (removed all previous ointments) It is important to cleanse the wound thoroughly.
applied topical agent
a light dressing should be used over joint areas (if it is needed)
dressings that adhere to the wound can be removed by moistening the wound with tap water
sterile scissors and forceps may be used to trim loose eschar and encourage separation of devitalized skin (you might see some bleeding, which is ok)
Wound debridement for burns
Mechanical (scissors/scalpel/forceps to remove eschar)
Chemical (enzymatic)
surgical (excision to remove devitalized tissue with early burn wound closure, most important to contribute to survival!)
Wound grafting
Autograph (own skin)
Homograft (living or recently dead humans)
heterograft (pigs or other animals)
Amnion (placenta, frequent changes)
Biobrane (synthetic, trimmed as it separates, leaving healed wound)
Nursing actions with grafting
maintain immobilization of graft site
elevate extremity
provide wound care to the donor site
administer analgesics
Monitor for evidence of infection before and after skin coverings or grafts are applied
Evidence of infection of graft
discoloration of unburned skin surrounding burn wound
green color to subcutaneous fat
degeneration of granulation tissue
development of subeschar hemorrhage
hyperventilation indicating systemic involvement of infection
unstable body temperature
Duration of rehab phase of burn
From major wound closure to return to individual’s optimal level of physical and psychosocial adjustment
Priorities in rehab phase of burn
Prevention and treatment of scars and contractures
Physical, occupational, and vocational rehabilitation
Functional and cosmetic reconstruction
Psychosocial counseling
Functions of the liver
Glucose metabolism
Ammonia conversion
Protein metabolism
Fat metabolism
Vitamin and Iron storage
bile formation
bilirubin excretion
drug metabolism
Glucose metabolism
metabolism of glucose and regulation of blood glucose concentration.
Stored as glycogen (obtained from portal venous blood)
Released as glucose
Gluconeogenesis
Gluconeogenesis
synthesize glucose by using amino acids from protein breakdown
Ammonia conversion
convert ammonia to urea (excreted in the urine)
the use of amino acids for gluconeogenesis results in the formation of ammonia
Bacteria in the intestines can also produce ammonia.
ENCEPHALOPATHY
Protein metabolism
liver synthesizes almost all of the plasma proteins–including albumin and clotting factors (not enough of these in patients with liver cirrhosis or failure, low oncotic pressure and ascites)
Fat metabolism
breakdown fatty acids into ketone bodies when the availability of glucose metabolism is limited
Vitamin and iron storage
A, B, D, B-complex, iron, and copper
Bilirubin
Breakdown of hemoglobin
Drug metabolism
barbiturates for psych patients, opioids, sedatives, anesthetics and amphetamines.
Esophageal varices
Lots of bleeding, projectile, even
Food passing through can cut the varices and cause bleeding
Caused by portal hypertension
Nursing management of esophageal varices
Gastric suction: keep the stomach as empty as possible and to prevent straining and vomiting.
Monitor the blood pressure since they can bleed massively
Anticipate vitamin K therapy and multiple blood transfusion (two nurses)
Hepatic encephalopathy
Neuropsychiatric manifestation of hepatic failure associated with portal hypertension and the shunting of blood from the portal venous system into the systemic circulation.
Liver is not able to convert ammonia to urea
How to reduce serum ammonia
Elimination of protein from the diet
Administration of antibiotics, such as neomycin to reduce intestinal bacteria
Early symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy
Forgetfulness, confusion
Sleep during the day, insomnia at night
Advanced symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy
Shaking of the hands or arms (asterixis)
Disorientation, slurred speech
Sweet, slightly fecal odor to the breath
Grade I hepatic encephalopathy
Shortened attention span
Grade II hepatic encephalopathy
Lethargy with slight disorientation
Grade III hepatic encephalopathy
Somnolence with gross disorientation
Grade IV hepatic encephalopathy
Coma
Management of hepatic encephalopathy
Lactulose (cephulac): traps and expels ammonia in feces. Can be diluted with fruit juice, monitor for low K+ and dehydration. Orange gross nectary med
Deep breathing to prevent atelectasis, pneumonia, and other respiratory complications.
Pancreas
20 cm long
Behind the stomach
Soft tissue
Risk factors of pancreatic cancer
cigarette smoking
chronic pancreatitis
family history of pancreatic or other cancers
age 60 and older
exposure to industrial chemicals
toxins in the environment
diet high in fat, meat, or both
Facts about pancreatic cancer
70% originate in the head of the pancreas (connection to other organs)
functioning islet cell tumors–associated with the syndrome of hyperinsulinism
7% dx in early stage
80-85% have advanced, unresectable tumor when first detected
7% survival rate at 5 years
Clinical manifestations of pancreatic cancer
pain, jaundice, and wt loss–80% of patient
rapid, profound, and progressive wt loss unrelated to GI
more severe at night and accentuated when lying supine
relief by sitting up and leaning forward
ascites
DM may be an early sign
meals aggravate epigastric pain
Assessment and dx findings of pancreatic cancer
Spiral CT: 85-90% accurate
MRI
ERCP
endoscopic ultrasound
percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the pancreas
ERCP
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
A technique that combines the use of endoscopy and fluoroscopy to diagnose and treat certain problems of the biliary or pancreatic ductal systems.
Medical management of pancreatic cancer
treatment limited to palliative measures
extensive growth of tumor
widespread metastases (liver, lungs, and bones)
Nursing management of pancreatic cancer
pain management: especially at night time
Refer to hospice care
Tumors of the head of the pancreas
60-80% tumors occur in the head of the pancreas
tumors may obstruct the common bile duct
obstruction cause jaundice, clay-colored stools, and dark urine
need a biliary-enteric shunt to relieve the jaundice
Preop for pancreas head tumors
diet high in protein along with pancreatic enzymes
adequate hydration
Correction of prothrombin deficiency with vitamin K
Treatment of anemia
Whipple’s procedure
pancreaticoduodenectomy
removal of the gallbladder, a portion of the stomach, duodenum, proximal jejunum, head of the pancreas, and distal common bile duct
reconstruction involves connection of the remaining pancreas and stomach to the jejunum
result: removal of the tumor, allowing flow of bile into the jejunum
MAJOR procedure
Post-op whipple’s procedure
pt may experience malabsorption and hyperglycemia
they still need to take pancreatic enzymes
low fat diet
vitamin supplement
Renal blood flow
receive 1000 to 1300 ml of blood per minute
GFR
the amount of plasma filtered through the glomeruli per unit of time
125ml/min-200 ml/min
directly related to the perfusion pressure in the glomerular capillaries–related to renal blood flow
Need proper pressure gradient. Blood going into the kidneys should be higher than the blood coming out of the kidneys
Functions of the kidneys
Filter blood
Excrete waste
Regulate electrolytes
Regulate pH
Regulate BP
Regulate RBC production
Vitamin D synthesis
AKI
when the kidneys cannot remove the body’s metabolic wastes or perform their regulatory functions
accumulation of body wastes
affecting endocrine and metabolic functions
fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base disturbances
systemic disease
Metabolic acidosis and fluid electrolyte imbalance
AKI assessment
renal sonogram or a CT or MRI: anatomic changes like stones, tumor, or cysts
BUN level increases
serum creatinine
BUN increases dependent on the degree of
catabolism (breakdown of protein)
renal perfusion
protein intake
medications such as corticosteroids
Serum creatinine
monitoring kidney function and disease progression and increase with glomerular damage
more sensitive than BUN as an indicator of renal function
Prerenal AKI
hypoperfusion
Low volume
Impaired cardiac efficiency
Vasodilation from 3rd spacing
Prerenal ARF
Volume depletion in prerenal AKI
Hemorrhage
Burns
GI losses (V/D/NG suction)
Renal losses (diuretics)
Impaired cardiac efficiency in prerenal AKI
MI
HF
dysrhythmias
cardiogenic shock
Vasodilation from 3rd spacing in prerenal AKI
Anaphylaxis
AntiHTN meds
Sepsis
Prerenal ARF in prerenal AKI
Lasix/fluid challenge (increased urine output)
What can happen if prerenal AKI is not treated properly
Ischemia
Necrosis
Intrarenal AKI
actual tissue damage to the glomeruli or kidney tubules
focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (fibrosis in the glomerulus)
Prolonged renal ischemia
Nephrotoxic agents
Infectious processes
Prolonged renal ischemia in intrarenal AKI results from
pigment nephropathy (associated with the breakdown of blood cells containing pigments that in turn occlude kidney structures)
myoglobinuria (trauma, crush injuries, burns)
hemoglobinuria (transfusion reaction, hemolytic anemia)
Nephrotoxic agents in intrarenal AKI
aminoglycoside antibiotics (gentamicin, tobramycin)
radiopaque contrast agents w/o proper hydration
heavy metals (lead mercury)
solvents and chemicals (ethylene glycol, carbon tetrachloride, arsenic)
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen
ACE inhibitors
Infectious processes in intrarenal AKI
acute pyelonephritis
acute glomerulonephritis
Postrenal AKI
obstruction distal to the kidney
pressure rises in the kidney tubules and eventually, the GFR decreases (less of pressure gradient)
both of the ureters are blocked, or the bladder is affected
Causes of postrenal AKI
urinary tract obstruction:
calculi (stones)
tumors
benign prostatic hyperplasia
strictures
blood clots
Clinical characteristics of AKI
…
Phases of AKI
initiation
oliguria
diuresis
recovery
Initiation in AKI
Begins with initial insult and ends when oliguria develops
Oliguria in AKI
Less than 400ml urine in 24 hours or 0.5ml/kg/hr of urine output
increase in the serum concentration of substances usually excreted by the kidneys
urea, creatinine, uric acid, organic acids, intracellular cations (potassium and magnesium)
May develop hyperkalemia: life-threatening
Diuresis in AKI
gradual increase in urine output–glomerular filtration has started to recover
lab results stabilize
urine output may be normal or above normal
uremic symptoms may still be present
observed for dehydration
Recovery period in AKI
improvement of renal function
may take 3-12 months
lab values return to normal
1-3% permanent reduction in GFR, but not clinically significant; however, those with pre existing CKD, an episode of AKI may necessitate beginning CRRT (continuous renal replacement therapy, like dialysis but continuous and can only be done in ICU)
Lab values in AKI patients
Hyperkalemia (3.5-5)
Elevated phosphate (2.5-4.5)
Low calcium (8.5-10.2)
Anemia (hct 45-52M or 37-48F)
Preventing hospital-acquired AKI
radiocontrast-induced nephropathy (CIN)
Prehydration with saline is the most effective method to prevent CIN (N-acetylcysteine administration is no longer recommended as a preventative measure.)
Treating underlying causes in AKI
IV fluid
transfusion of blood products (albumin)