Week 7 - Burns Flashcards
___ are known to be one of the most complex traumas
Burns
Why are burns often the most complex traumas
they usually involve multiple systemic trauma (psychosociophysio)
the mechanism of injury is also varied: it can be thermal, radioactive, electrical, chemical, and a mixture of mechanisms
Where do most burns occur
in the home
Which people are more likely to get burn injuries
young children
older adults
disabled patients
men > women
Layers of skin from superficial to deepest
- Epidermis
- Dermis
- Subcutaneous Tissue
In what ways does the body use the skin
as a protective barrier from outside elements
helps with thermoregulation
gives us our good looks and recognition
helps with vitamin D synthesis
Epidermis
most superficial layer of skin
contains cells that produce pigment and protect the immune system
Dermis
second most superficial layer of skin and the largest
contains nerve endings, oil and sweat glands, and hair follicles
Subcutaneous Tissue
deepest layer of skin
made up of fat, connective tissue, and larger blood vessels
What is some education nurses can provide to prevent burns
information on:
sun exposure
supervising children
smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
water heat temperature checks
smoking in bed
curling irons
running cords under rugs
Burns are ____
preventable!
Nursing Goals Related to Burns
- PREVENTION
- Lifesaving measures for the severely burned person
- Prevention of disability and disfigurement through early specialized care - really impacts physical self
- Rehabilitation through reconstructive surgery and programs - prevent contractures and ability to move muscles
First Degree Burns
superficial injuries that often involve the outermost layer of the skin (Epidermis)
ex: Sunburn
Second Degree Burns
involve the entire epidermis and portions of the dermis
painful with blisters
can be felt and most painful feeling burn
a deep 2nd degree hurts more than a 2nd superficial
Third Degree Burn
full thickness
destruction of the epidermis, dermis, and underlying tissue - lack of sensation occurs
cannot be felt
Fourth Degree Burn
Full thickness
deep burn necrosis - extends into deep tissue, muscle, and bone
cannot be felt
TBSA
Total Body Surface Area
Methods of estimation on how much of the body has been burned
Rule of Nines
the most common method of estimating total body surface area
based on anatomic regions split into percentages based on if you are a child or an adult
What are the percentages of the anatomic regions for a child in the rule of nines
18% head 18% front 18% back 14% left leg 14% right leg 9% left arm 9% right arm
What are the percentages of the anatomic regions for an adult in the rule of nines
9 % head 1% neck 18% front 18% back 18% left leg 18% right leg 9% left arm 9% right arm
What is the Palmer Method & Lund and Browder Method
two alternative measures for estimating TBSA like the rule of nines
A burn of ___% or more becomes a systemic problem and are considered major burns
30%
What is the systemic response to a major burn like
Burn of 30%+ –> release of cytokines and other mediators into systemic circulation –> Fluid shifting and shock states –> Potential hypoperfusion and organ hypofunction
What sort of secondary injuries and issues can occur from major burns (30%+)
fluid and electrolyte shifts
cardiovascular effects
pulmonary injury: upper and lower airway, CO poisoning, restrictive defects
Renal and GI alterations
Immunologic alterations
Effect on thermoregulation
What are the phases of burn injury
- Emergent or Resuscitative Phase
- Acute or Intermediate Phase
- Rehabilitation Phase
What is the time period for emergent or resuscitative phase of burn injury
onset of injury to completion of fluid resuscitation (since they are risk for hypovolemia)