FINALS: Burn Evaluation Flashcards
What is the primary function of the skin?
The skin acts as a protective barrier, regulates temperature, and provides sensory information.
injuries caused by various external factors that damage skin and deeper tissues, depending on severity. They range from mild (superficial) to severe (full-thickness) injuries requiring extensive care.
Burns
Contains connective tissue, blood vessels, nerve endings, and glands, critical for healing and sensation.
Dermis
The outermost layer, which provides a barrier against environmental damage and regulates water loss.
Epidermis
Cause: Tissue contact with strong acids, alkalis, or organic compounds; ingestion, inhalation, or injection of these substances.
Sources: Household cleaners, industrial chemicals.
Chemical Burns
Acts as insulation and padding, storing fat and anchoring skin to underlying tissues.
Subcutaneous Layer
Characteristics: Cells are irreversibly damaged; full-thickness burn.
Treatment: Typically requires skin grafting.
Zone of Coagulation
Cause: Exposure to flames, hot liquids, steam, hot objects.
Examples: Scald burns, flame burns.
Thermal Burns:
What is the Zone of Coagulation in burn injuries?
The area where cells are irreversibly damaged and skin death occurs, requiring skin grafting.
Cause: Generated by electrical energy passing through the body, causing internal and external damage.
Sources: Faulty wiring, high-voltage power lines, lightning.
Electrical Burns:
What is the purpose of the Rule of Nines in burn assessment?
To estimate the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burns.
Cause: Exposure to radioactive sources or ionizing radiation.
Examples: Associated with industrial and therapeutic radiation.
Radiation Burns:
Characteristics: Contains injured but viable cells that may die within 24–48 hours if not properly treated.
Risks: Infection, inadequate perfusion, or drying can turn this zone necrotic, expanding the Zone of Coagulation.
Zone of Stasis
What are the four main categories of burns?
Thermal, Chemical, Electrical, Radiation.
Characteristics: Minimal cell damage, with tissue expected to recover fully within days.
Prognosis: No lasting effects with proper care.
Zone of Hyperemia
What is a thermal burn?
A burn caused by exposure to flames, hot liquids, steam, or hot objects.
Describe a chemical burn.
A burn resulting from tissue contact with strong acids, alkalis, or organic compounds.
Define radiation burns.
Burns caused by exposure to radioactive sources or ionizing radiation.
What causes electrical burns?
Heat generated by electrical energy passing through the body.
Describe the Zone of Hyperemia.
A site of minimal cell damage where tissue typically recovers within several days without lasting effects.
What pulmonary complications can arise from burn injuries?
Inhalation injury, pneumonia, carbon monoxide poisoning, and upper airway obstruction are primary pulmonary complications.
What is the Zone of Stasis?
An area containing injured cells that may die without treatment, potentially leading to necrosis.
Why is timely assessment important in burn injuries?
To determine the extent of the injury, guide treatment decisions, and minimize complications.
How is the body divided in the Rule of Nines?
q Head and neck: 9%, Each arm: 9%, Each leg: 18%, Anterior trunk: 18%, Posterior trunk: 18%, Perineum: 1%.
What condition results from microbial invasion of a burn wound?
Sepsis results from microbial invasion from the burn wound.
What are common complications associated with burns?
Infection, scarring, contractures, and complications affecting respiratory and circulatory systems.
How does thermal injury affect metabolism?
It causes increased metabolic and catabolic activity, leading to weight loss, negative nitrogen balance, and decreased energy stores.
What percentage of patients with facial burns experience smoke inhalation?
The incidence of smoke inhalation rises to 66% in patients with facial burns.
What is the leading cause of mortality from burn injuries?
Infection is the leading cause, particularly from virulent strains like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.
List some signs of inhalation injury.
Facial burns, singed nasal hairs, harsh cough, hoarseness, abnormal breath sounds, respiratory distress, carbonaceous sputum, and hypoxemia.
What is heterotopic ossification (HO) in the context of burns?
HO is bone formation in non-osseous tissue occurring after trauma, particularly in patients with burns greater than 25% of TBSA.
What cardiovascular complications can result from burn injuries?
Hemodynamic changes due to fluid shift to the interstitium, leading to reduced plasma and intravascular fluid volume and edema.
What symptoms are associated with heterotopic ossification?
Decreased range of motion (ROM), point-specific pain, and pain that differs from generalized pain.
What types of neuropathy can occur in burn patients?
Peripheral neuropathy can be polyneuropathy or local neuropathy, often related to treatment factors.
What causes local neuropathy in burn patients?
Local neuropathy can be caused by compression bandages applied too tightly, poorly fitted splints, or prolonged and inappropriate positioning.
What pathological scars can develop from burn injuries?
Hypertrophic scars (raised and thick scars) and scar contractures can develop as a result of burn injuries.
A burn patient shows signs of fever and red, inflamed skin around the wound. What complication is likely?
Infection, possibly from Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus, leading to sepsis.
A patient burned in a closed space has facial burns and difficulty breathing. What should be suspected?
Inhalation injury, with potential complications like pneumonia and carbon monoxide poisoning.
A patient with burns shows rapid weight loss and increased heart rate. What metabolic change is occurring?
Increased metabolic rate due to thermal injury, leading to negative nitrogen balance.
A burn patient develops swelling and low blood pressure. What cardiovascular issue might arise?
Hemodynamic changes due to fluid shift to the interstitium, causing edema and reduced intravascular volume.
After extensive burns, a patient experiences decreased joint movement and localized pain. What complication is present?
Heterotopic ossification (HO), often affecting joints after significant burn trauma.
A patient has burns on the anterior chest and both arms. What is the TBSA using the Rule of Nines?
Anterior chest (18%) + both arms (9% each = 18%) = 36% TBSA.
A patient with burns to the head, neck, and one leg. Calculate TBSA
Head and neck (9%) + one leg (18%) = 27% TBSA.
A 5-year-old has burns on their left arm (9%) and front of their torso (9%). What’s their TBSA?
Total TBSA = 9% (arm) + 9% (torso) = 18% TBSA.
A 3-year-old sustains burns on the entire head (18%) and front torso (9%). What is their TBSA?
Total TBSA = 18% (head) + 9% (torso) = 27% TBSA.
: A teenager has a 20% TBSA burn. Using Lund and Browder, which area needs reassessment?
The distribution and proportion of burns, especially in adolescents compared to adults.
