Burns Flashcards
Define burns
- Tissue injury secondary to a transfer (absorption) of energy
- Effects depend on intensity and duration of burns
What is the fourth leading form of trauma?
Burns
What is the setting of the majority of burns?
- Domestic setting (cooking)
What is the etiology of burns?
- Global: Scald, then flame
- US: Flame, then scald
- Contact: touch a hard, hot surface
- Scald: touch a hot liquid
- Inhalation
- Chemical: liquid burn regardless of temperature
- Electrical
- Radiation
- Steam: combo between temp and hot water
- Flash: subset of flame
- Frost bite
Where do men and women most typically get burns?
- Men: outdoor setting, flame
2. Women: indoor setting, scald
How is mortality estimated for burn pts?
- Pt’s age + percentage of burn
2. Length of stay (days) = percentage of burn
What are the functions of the skin?
- Physical protection
- temp regulation
- Fluid regulation
- Sensory perception
- Metabolism
- Excretion
- Immunological
Why don’t you need immunosuppressants for transient skin grafts?
Immunosuppression due to skin loss
What is the pathophys of burns?
- fluid loss/shift
- Predisposition to infection
- Hypothermia
4.
What is the most stressful trauma the body can sustain?
Burn
Doubles basal metabolic rate
What are the zones of burns?
- Zone of hyperemia: Peripheral
- Zone of stasis: middle
- Zone of coagulation: center
Why shouldn’t ice or cold water be put on a burn?
Will further damage/destroy skin
What are the new classifications of burn?
- Epidermal (1st)
- Partial thickness (2nd)
A. Superficial
B. Deep - Full thickness (3rd)
What is the best way to evaluate depth of burn?
Clinical exam
What are the characteristics of an epidermal burn?
- Dry red skin, blanches with pressure
- Painful
- Heals: 3-6 days