Patho & Pathophis Burns

Question 1

What are the 5 different kinds of burns

Answer 1

Question 2

What are some effects of electrocution

Answer 2

Cardiac arrhythmias (typically VF)
Skeletal muscle injury
Fractures (Long bones, vertebrae, SCI, paralysis/nerve damage)
Hemodynamic instability (coagulation in vessels, intimal artery damage with thrombus formation)

Question 3

What are some signs and symptoms from airway burns

Answer 3

Facial injury, singed nasal hairs, soot in the proximal airway, carbonaceous sputum production & changes in voice

Question 4

How are burns classified?

Answer 4

Depth of injury & extent of body surface are involved.

Question 5

What layers of the skin can be affected in burns

Answer 5

1. Superficial partial thickness (outer layers of the epidermis) (1st degree)
2. Partial thickness & deep partial thickness (involves epidermis & some of the dermis)
3. Full-thickness (involves epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous tissue may also involve muscle & bone)

Question 6

What can be seen with a superficial partial thickness burn

Answer 6

Erythema - Redness of the skin
Blanching on pressure - skin turns white when pressure is applied
Mild swelling
Tender

Question 7

What is usually seen in Partial thickness burns (2nd degree)

Answer 7

This is where there is the destruction of epidermal tissue and skin barrier function is lost.

Fluid-filled vesicles, red, shiny, moist, severe pain

Question 8

What is usually seen in 3rd degree burns

Answer 8

Destruction of epidermis to dermis and can include the subcutaneous tissue/muscle

Dry, waxy, white/yellow/brown/red or black skin, leathery skin

No pain associated because the nerves are often destroyed.

Question 9

What are the tree zones of Burns

Answer 9

Zone of Coagulation - where the damage is focused and the tissue is necrotic

Zone of stasis - Signs of ischemia and may convert to full thickness

Zone of hyperaemia - Good blood flow and can often heal unless there is severe signs of infection

Question 10

What is the rule of nines

Answer 10

This is used to determine the surface area of the burn

Question 11

Pathophyis of Burns

Answer 11

Question 12

What is the Parkland’s formula

Answer 12

This is used to estimate the volume of replacement fluid required for the first 24 hours

TBSA Burned (%) x Weight (Kg) x 4mL

Half of total requirement given in first 8 hours, then second half given over next 16 hrs