Lewis Ch 24: Burns

Question 1

When assessing a patient who spilled hot oil on the right leg and foot, the nurse notes dry, pale, and hard skin. The patient states that the burn is not painful. What term would the nurse use to document the burn depth?

a. First-degree skin destruction
b. Full-thickness skin destruction
c. Deep partial-thickness skin destruction
d. Superficial partial-thickness skin destruction

Answer 1

b. Full-thickness skin destruction

With full-thickness skin destruction, the appearance is pale and dry or leathery, and the area is painless because of the associated nerve destruction. Erythema, swelling, and blisters point to a deep partial-thickness burn. With superficial partial-thickness burns, the area is red, but no blisters are present. First-degree burns exhibit erythema, blanching, and pain.

Question 2

On admission to the burn unit, a patient with an approximate 25% total body surface area (TBSA) burn has the following initial laboratory results: Hct 58%, Hgb 18.2 mg/dL (172 g/L), serum K+ 4.9 mEq/L (4.8 mmol/L), and serum Na+ 135 mEq/L (135 mmol/L). Which of the
following prescribed actions should be the nurse’s priority?
a. Monitoring urine output every 4 hours
b. Continuing to monitor the laboratory results
c. Increasing the rate of the ordered IV solution
d. Typing and crossmatching for a blood transfusion

Answer 2

c. Increasing the rate of the ordered IV solution

The patient’s laboratory results show hemoconcentration, which may lead to a decrease in blood flow to the microcirculation unless fluid intake is increased. Because the hematocrit and hemoglobin are elevated, a transfusion is inappropriate, although transfusions may be needed after the emergent phase once the patient’s fluid balance has been restored. On admission to a burn unit, the urine output would be monitored more often than every 4 hours (likely every hour).

Question 3

A patient is admitted to the burn unit with burns to the head, face, and hands. Initially, wheezes are heard, but an hour later, the lung sounds are decreased, and no wheezes are audible. What action should the nurse take?

a. Encourage the patient to cough and auscultate the lungs again.
b. Notify the health care provider and prepare for endotracheal intubation.
c. Document the results and continue to monitor the patient’s respiratory rate.
d. Reposition the patient in high-Fowler’s position and reassess breath sounds.

Answer 3

b. Notify the health care provider and prepare for endotracheal intubation.

The patient’s history and clinical manifestations suggest airway edema, and the health care provider should be notified at once so that intubation can be done rapidly. Placing the patient in a more upright position or having the patient cough will not address the problem of airway edema. Continuing to monitor is inappropriate because immediate action should occur.

Question 4

A patient with severe burns has crystalloid fluid replacement ordered using the Parkland formula. The initial volume of fluid to be given in the first 24 hours is 30,000 mL. The initial rate of administration is 1875 mL/hr. After the first 8 hours, what rate should the nurse infuse the IV fluids?

a. 219 mL/hr
b. 625 mL/hr
c. 938 mL/hr
d. 1875 mL/hr

Answer 4

c. 938 mL/hr

Half of the fluid replacement using the Parkland formula is administered in the first 8 hours and the other half over the next 16 hours. In this case, the patient should receive half of the initial rate, or 938 mL/hr.

Question 5

During the emergent phase of burn care, which assessment is most useful in determining
whether the patient is receiving adequate fluid infusion?
a. Check skin turgor.
b. Monitor daily weight.
c. Assess mucous membranes.
d. Measure hourly urine output.

Answer 5

d. Measure hourly urine output.

When fluid intake is adequate, the urine output will be at least 0.5 to 1 mL/kg/hr. The patient’s weight is not useful in this situation because of the effects of third spacing and evaporative fluid loss. Mucous membrane assessment and skin turgor also may be used, but they are not as adequate in determining that fluid infusions are maintaining adequate perfusion.

Question 6

A patient has just been admitted with a 40% total body surface area (TBSA) burn injury. To maintain adequate nutrition, the nurse should plan to take which action?

a. Administer vitamins and minerals intravenously.
b. Insert a feeding tube and initiate enteral nutrition.
c. Infuse total parenteral nutrition via a central catheter.
d. Encourage an oral intake of at least 5000 kcal per day.

Answer 6

b. Insert a feeding tube and initiate enteral nutrition.

Enteral nutrition can usually be started during the emergent phase at low rates and increased over 24 to 48 hours to the goal rate. During the emergent phase, the patient will be unable to eat enough calories to meet nutritional needs and may have a paralytic ileus that prevents adequate nutrient absorption. Vitamins and minerals may be given during the emergent phase, but these will not assist in meeting the patient’s caloric needs. Parenteral nutrition increases the infection risk, does not help preserve gastrointestinal function, and is not routinely used in burn patients unless the gastrointestinal tract is not available for use.

Question 7

Which nursing action prevents cross contamination when the patient’s full-thickness burn wounds to the face are exposed?

a. Using sterile gloves when removing dressings.
b. Keeping the room temperature at 70° F (20° C).
c. Wearing gown, cap, mask, and gloves during care.
d. Giving IV antibiotics to prevent bacterial colonization.

Answer 7

c. Wearing gown, cap, mask, and gloves during care.

Use of gowns, caps, masks, and gloves during all patient care will decrease the possibility of wound contamination for a patient whose burns are not covered. When removing contaminated dressings and washing the dirty wound, use nonsterile, disposable gloves. The room temperature should be kept at 85° F for patients with open burn wounds to prevent shivering. Systemic antibiotics are not well absorbed into deep burns because of the lack of circulation.

Question 8

A nurse is caring for a patient who has burns of the ears, head, neck, and right arm and hand. The nurse should place the patient in which position?

a. Place the right arm and hand flexed in a position of comfort.
b. Elevate the right arm and hand on pillows and extend the fingers.
c. Assist the patient to a supine position with a small pillow under the head.
d. Position the patient in a side-lying position with rolled towel under the neck.

Answer 8

b. Elevate the right arm and hand on pillows and extend the fingers.

The right hand and arm should be elevated to reduce swelling and the fingers extended to avoid flexion contractures (even though this position may not be comfortable for the patient). The patient with burns of the ears should not use a pillow for the head because this will put pressure on the ears, and the pillow may stick to the ears. Patients with neck burns should not use a pillow or rolled towel because the head should be kept in an extended position to avoid contractures.

Question 9

A patient with circumferential burns of both legs develops a decrease in dorsalis pedis pulse strength and numbness in the toes. Which action should the nurse take first?

a. Monitor the pulses every hour.
b. Notify the health care provider.
c. Elevate both legs above heart level with pillows.
d. Encourage the patient to flex and extend the toes.

Answer 9

b. Notify the health care provider.

The decrease in pulse and numbness in a patient with circumferential burns shows decreased circulation to the legs and the need for an escharotomy. Monitoring the pulses is not an adequate response to the decrease in circulation. Elevating the legs or increasing toe movement will not improve the patient’s circulation.

Question 10

Esomeprazole is prescribed for a patient who incurred extensive burn injuries 5 days ago. Which nursing assessment would best evaluate the effectiveness of the drug?

a. Bowel sounds
b. Stool frequency
c. Stool occult blood
d. Abdominal distention

Answer 10

c. Stool occult blood

H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors are given to prevent Curling’s ulcer in the patient who has sustained burn injuries. Proton pump inhibitors usually do not affect bowel sounds, stool frequency, or appetite.

Question 11

Which prescribed drug is best for the nurse to give before scheduled wound debridement on a patient with partial-thickness burns?

a. ketorolac
b. lorazepam (Ativan)
c. gabapentin (Neurontin)
d. hydromorphone (Dilaudid)

Answer 11

d. hydromorphone (Dilaudid)

Opioid pain medications are the best choice for pain control. The other drugs are used as adjuvants to enhance the effects of opioids.

Question 12

A young adult patient who is in the rehabilitation phase after having deep partial-thickness face and neck burns has been having difficulty with body image over the past several months. Which statement by the patient best indicates that the problem is resolving?

a. “I’m glad the scars are only temporary.”
b. “I will avoid using a pillow, so my neck will be OK.”
c. “Do you think dark beige makeup will cover this scar?”
d. “I don’t think my boyfriend will want to look at me now.”

Answer 12

c. “Do you think dark beige makeup will cover this scar?”

The willingness to use strategies to enhance appearance is an indication that the disturbed body image is resolving. Expressing feelings about the scars shows a willingness to discuss appearance but not resolution of the problem. Because deep partial-thickness burns leave permanent scars, a statement that the scars are temporary shows denial rather than resolution of the problem. Avoiding using a pillow will help prevent contractures, but it does not address the problem of disturbed body image.

Question 13

A patient admitted with burns over 30% of the body surface 2 days ago now has dramatically increased urine output. Which action should the nurse plan to support maintaining kidney function?

a. Monitoring white blood cells (WBCs).
b. Continuing to measure the urine output.
c. Assessing that blisters and edema have subsided.
d. Encouraging the patient to eat adequate calories.

Answer 13

b. Continuing to measure the urine output.

The patient’s urine output indicates that the patient is entering the acute phase of the burn
injury and moving on from the emergent stage. At the end of the emergent phase, capillary
permeability normalizes, and the patient begins to diurese large amounts of urine with a low
specific gravity. Although this may occur at about 48 hours, it may be longer in some patients.
Blisters and edema begin to resolve, but this process requires more time. WBCs may increase
or decrease, based on the patient’s immune status and any infectious processes. The WBC
count does not indicate kidney function. Although adequate nutrition is important for healing,
it does not ensure adequate kidney functioning.

Question 14

A patient with burns covering 40% total body surface area (TBSA) is in the acute phase of burn treatment. Which snack would be best for the nurse to offer to this patient?

a. Bananas
b. Orange gelatin
c. Vanilla milkshake
d. Whole grain bagel

Answer 14

c. Vanilla milkshake

A patient with a burn injury needs high-protein and high-calorie food intake, and the milkshake is the highest in these nutrients. The other choices are not as nutrient dense as the milkshake. Gelatin is likely high in sugar. The bagel is a good carbohydrate choice but low in protein. Bananas are a good source of potassium but are not high in protein and calories.

Question 15

A patient has just arrived in the emergency department after an electrical burn from exposure to a high-voltage current. What is the priority nursing assessment?

a. Oral temperature
b. Peripheral pulses
c. Extremity movement
d. Pupil reaction to light

Answer 15

c. Extremity movement

All patients with electrical burns should be considered at risk for cervical spine injury, and assessment of extremity movement will provide baseline data. The other assessment data are necessary but not as essential as determining the cervical spine status.

Question 16

An employee spills industrial acid on both arms and legs at work. What action should the occupational health nurse take?

a. Remove nonadherent clothing and wristwatch.
b. Apply an alkaline solution to the affected area.
c. Place a cool compress on the area of exposure.
d. Cover the affected area with dry, sterile dressings.

Answer 16

a. Remove nonadherent clothing and wristwatch.

With chemical burns, the first action is to remove the chemical from contact with the skin as quickly as possible. Remove nonadherent clothing, shoes, watches, jewelry, glasses, or contact lenses (if the face was exposed). Flush the chemical from the wound and surrounding area with copious amounts of saline solution or water. Covering the affected area or placing cool compresses on the area will leave the chemical in contact with the skin. Application of an alkaline solution can cause more injury.

Question 17

A patient who has burns on the arms, legs, and chest from a house fire has become agitated and restless 8 hours after being admitted to the hospital. Which action should the nurse take first?

a. Stay at the bedside and reassure the patient.
b. Administer the ordered morphine sulfate IV.
c. Assess orientation and level of consciousness.
d. Use pulse oximetry to check oxygen saturation.

Answer 17

d. Use pulse oximetry to check oxygen saturation.

Agitation in a patient who may have suffered inhalation injury might indicate hypoxia, and this should be assessed by the nurse first. Administration of morphine may be indicated if the nurse determines that the agitation is caused by pain. Assessing level of consciousness and orientation is appropriate but not as essential as determining whether the patient is hypoxemic. Reassurance is not helpful to reduce agitation in a hypoxemic patient.

Question 18

A patient arrives in the emergency department with facial and chest burns caused by a house fire. Which action should the nurse take first?

a. Auscultate for breath sounds.
b. Determine the extent and depth of the burns.
c. Give the prescribed hydromorphone (Dilaudid).
d. Infuse the prescribed lactated Ringer’s solution.

Answer 18

a. Auscultate for breath sounds.

A patient with facial and chest burns is at risk for inhalation injury and assessment of airway and breathing is the priority. The other actions will be completed after airway management is assured.

Question 19

A patient with extensive electrical burn injuries is admitted to the emergency department. Which prescribed intervention should the nurse implement first?

a. Assess pain level.
b. Place on heart monitor.
c. Check potassium level.
d. Assess oral temperature.

Answer 19

b. Place on heart monitor.

After an electrical burn, the patient is at risk for life-threatening dysrhythmias and should be placed on a heart monitor. Assessing the oral temperature and pain is not as important as assessing for dysrhythmias. Checking the potassium level is important, but it will take time before the laboratory results are back. The first intervention is to place the patient on a heart monitor and assess for dysrhythmias so that they can be monitored and treated if necessary.

Question 20

Eight hours after a thermal burn covering 50% of a patient’s total body surface area (TBSA), the nurse assesses the patient. The patient weighs 92 kg (202.4 lb). Which information would be a priority to communicate to the health care provider?

a. Blood pressure is 95/48 per arterial line.
b. Urine output of 41 mL over past 2 hours.
c. Serous exudate is leaking from the burns.
d. Heart monitor shows sinus tachycardia of 108.

Answer 20

b. Urine output of 41 mL over past 2 hours.

The urine output should be at least 0.5 to 1.0 mL/kg/hr during the emergent phase, when the patient is at great risk for hypovolemic shock. The nurse should notify the health care provider because a higher IV fluid rate is needed. BP during the emergent phase should be greater than 90 mm Hg systolic and the pulse rate should be less than 120 beats/min. Serous exudate from the burns is expected during the emergent phase.

Question 21

Which patient should the nurse assess first?

a. A patient with burns who reports a level 8 (0 to 10 scale) pain.
b. A patient with smoke inhalation who has wheezes and altered mental status.
c. A patient with full-thickness leg burns who is scheduled for a dressing change.
d. A patient with partial thickness burns who is receiving IV fluids at 500 mL/hr.

Answer 21

b. A patient with smoke inhalation who has wheezes and altered mental status.

This patient has evidence of lower airway injury and hypoxemia and should be assessed at once to determine the need for O2 or intubation (or both). The other patients should be assessed as rapidly as possible, but they do not have evidence of life-threatening complications.

Question 22

Which patient is most appropriate for the burn unit charge nurse to assign to a registered nurse (RN) who has floated from the hospital medical unit?

a. A patient who has twice-daily burn debridements to partial-thickness facial burns.
b. A patient who just returned from having a cultured epithelial autograft to the chest.
c. A patient who has a 15% weight loss from admission and will need enteral feedings.
d. A patient who has blebs under an autograft on the thigh and has an order for bleb aspiration.

Answer 22

c. A patient who has a 15% weight loss from admission and will need enteral feedings.

An RN from a medical unit would be familiar with malnutrition and with administration and
evaluation of response to enteral feedings. The other patients need burn assessment and care
that is more appropriate for staff who regularly care for burned patients.

Question 23

A patient who was found unconscious in a burning house is brought to the emergency department by ambulance. The nurse notes that the patient’s skin color is bright red. Which action should the nurse take first?

a. Insert two large-bore IV lines.
b. Check the patient’s orientation.
c. Place the patient on 100% O2 using a nonrebreather mask.
d. Assess for singed nasal hair and dark oral mucous membranes.

Answer 23

c. Place the patient on 100% O2 using a nonrebreather mask.

The patient’s history and skin color suggest carbon monoxide poisoning, which should be treated by rapidly starting O2 at 100%. The other actions can be taken after the action to correct gas exchange.

Question 24

The nurse is reviewing laboratory results on a patient who had a large burn 48 hours ago. Which result requires priority action by the nurse?

a. Hematocrit of 53%
b. Serum sodium of 147 mEq/L
c. Serum potassium of 6.1 mEq/L
d. Blood urea nitrogen of 37 mg/dL

Answer 24

c. Serum potassium of 6.1 mEq/L

Hyperkalemia can lead to life-threatening dysrhythmias. The patient needs cardiac monitoring and immediate treatment to lower the potassium level. The other laboratory values are also abnormal and require changes in treatment, but they are not as immediately life threatening as the elevated potassium level.

Question 25

The charge nurse observes the following actions being taken by a new nurse on the burn unit. Which action by the new nurse would require immediate intervention by the charge nurse?

a. The new nurse uses clean gloves when applying antibacterial cream to a burn wound.
b. The new nurse obtains burn cultures when the patient has a temperature of 95.2° F (35.1° C).
c. The new nurse gives PRN fentanyl (Sublimaze) IV to a patient 5 minutes before a dressing change.
d. The new nurse calls the health care provider when a nondiabetic patient’s serum glucose is elevated.

Answer 25

a. The new nurse uses clean gloves when applying antibacterial cream to a burn wound.

Sterile gloves should be worn when applying medications or dressings to a burn. Hypothermia is an indicator of possible sepsis, and cultures are appropriate. Nondiabetic patients may need insulin because stress and high-calorie intake may lead to temporary hyperglycemia. Fentanyl peaks 5 minutes after IV administration and should be used just before and during dressing changes for pain management.

Question 26

Which nursing action is a priority for a patient who has suffered a burn injury while working on an electrical power line?

a. Inspect the contact burns.
b. Check the blood pressure.
c. Stabilize the cervical spine.
d. Assess alertness and orientation.

Answer 26

c. Stabilize the cervical spine.

Cervical spine injuries are often associated with electrical burns. Therefore, stabilization of the cervical spine takes precedence after airway management. The other actions are also included in the emergent care after electrical burns, but the most important action is to avoid spinal cord injury.

Question 27

Which action will the nurse include in the plan of care for a patient in the rehabilitation phase after a burn injury to the right arm and chest?

a. Keep the right arm in a position of comfort.
b. Avoid the use of sustained-release narcotics.
c. Teach about the purpose of tetanus immunization.
d. Apply water-based cream to burned areas frequently.

Answer 27

d. Apply water-based cream to burned areas frequently.

Application of water-based emollients will moisturize new skin and decrease flakiness and itching. To avoid contractures, the joints of the right arm should be positioned in an extended position, which is not the position of comfort. Patients may need to continue the use of opioids during rehabilitation. Tetanus immunization would have been given during the emergent phase of the burn injury.

Question 28

A young adult patient who is in the rehabilitation phase 6 months after a severe face and neck burn tells the nurse, “I’m sorry that I’m still alive. My life will never be normal again.” Which response should the nurse make?

a. “Most people recover after a burn and feel satisfied with their lives.”
b. “It’s true that your life may be different. What concerns you the most?”
c. “Why do you feel that way? It will get better as your recovery progresses.”
d. “It is really too early to know how much your life will be changed by the burn.”

Answer 28

b. “It’s true that your life may be different. What concerns you the most?”

This response acknowledges the patient’s feelings and asks for more assessment data that will help in developing an appropriate plan of care to assist the patient with the emotional response to the burn injury. The other statements are accurate but do not acknowledge the anxiety and depression that the patient is expressing.

Question 29

An 80-kg patient with burns over 30% of total body surface area (TBSA) is admitted to the burn unit. Using the Parkland formula of 4 mL/kg/%TBSA, what is the IV infusion rate (mL/hour) for lactated Ringer’s solution that the nurse will give during the first 8 hours?

Answer 29

ANS: 600 mL
The Parkland formula states that patients should receive 4 mL/kg/%TBSA burned during the first 24 hours. Half of the total volume is given in the first 8 hours and then the remaining half is given over 16 hours: 4  80  30 = 9600 mL total volume; 9600/2 = 4800 mL in the first 8 hours; 4800 mL/8 hr = 600 mL/hr.

Question 30

The nurse estimates the extent of a burn using the rule of nines for a patient who has been admitted with deep partial-thickness burns of the anterior trunk and the entire left arm. What percentage of the patient’s total body surface area (TBSA) has been injured?

Answer 30

ANS: 27%
When using the rule of nines, the anterior trunk is considered to cover 18% of the patient’s body and the anterior (4.5%) and posterior (4.5%) left arm equals 9%.