Burn Flashcards
Pass the exam :) (30 cards)
Define burn.
an injury to the tissues of the body caused by heat, chemicals, electric current, or radiation.
What influences effects of burn?
temperature, duration and type of tissue affected.
What are some burn prevention strategies?
Child resistant lighters Nonflammable clothing Anti-scald settings on water heaters (> 120F or >48.9C is dangerous) Building codes (Life Safety Codes) Smoke detector requirements Fire sprinklers in public buildings No smoking in bed Avoid open space heaters Grounded electrical wiring Turn pan handles away on stoves Rescue/ escape plan for houses and workplaces
What are the types of burns?
Thermal burns Chemical burns Smoke and inhalation injuries (breathing noxious chemicals or hot air) Electrical burns Radiation burns
What is the most common type of burn?
Thermal burn
Types of burn injuries are the same for children and adults. True or False
True
What are the causes of thermal burn?
flame, flash, scald, or contact with hot objects
The severity of the injury depends on the ________ of the burning agent and _______ of contact time.
temperature; duration
What are the initial treatment of thermal burn?
Remove from heat and danger: STOP, DROP, ROLL
Remove metal objects unless adhered
Loosen garments, remove garments, cover with sterile (or clean sheet)
Cool with water or moist towels (NOT COLD)
Maintain thermoregulation
Airway assessment and management
Initiate IV(s)
What is chemical burn?
an injury to tissue caused by contact with acids, alkalis, and organic compounds (such as phenol, petroleum)
What are the initial treatment for chemical burn?
First aid: Brush off powders, Flush liquids with water for 20-25 minutes, Remove and dispose of contact lenses
What burn is worst - acid or alkali?
Alkalis are worst because they adhere to tissues more and are not as readily neutralized by the body as acids
What causes smoke inhalation injuries?
inhalation of hot air, steam, smoke, or noxious chemicals that cause damage to the respiratory tract
What type of burn injury do you suspect if patient has burns of the head, neck, chest, or a burn that occurred in an enclosed area?
Smoke inhalation injuries
What are the three types of smoke inhalation injuries?
metabolic asphyxiation, upper airway injury, and lower airway injury
What type of burn is a major predictor of mortality in burn patients?
Smoke inhalation injuries
In smoke inhalation injury patients, airway compromise (ARDS) and pulmonary edema can develop over the first ______ hours.
12 to 48 hours
What type of burn injury would you suspect if the patient has signed nasal hair, hoarseness, coughing, airway redness, sore throat, or black carbon in sputum?
Smoke inhalation injuries
Any patient that has burns to head, neck, chest, or face will be administered _____ % oxygen by mask and will need frequent respiratory assessments.
100
Why do you need to intubate burn patients?
Mucosal burns of the oropharynx and larynx may cause redness, blistering, and edema. The edema can cause obstruction and lead to respiratory failure. Patient will need to be intubated before it becomes an emergency situation.
Can burn patients develop pulmonary edema?
Yes. A lower airway injury occurs usually due to inhalation of toxic fumes. It can lead to pulmonary edema and acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS). The pulmonary edema may not be evident for 12-24 hours after the inhalation, patient will need frequent respiratory assessments.
Adults or pediatric patients - who are at high risk for smoke inhalation burn injuries?
Pediatric patients are at high risk for inhalation injury, must monitor pulmonary system frequently. It can even take up to 72 hours to become evident, that is, the damage has occurred.
What two tests can be done to check for carbon Monoxide poisoning?
ABGs and Carboxyhemoglobin levels
What are the clinical manifestations of carbon monoxide poisoning?
cherry red hue on the skin, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, tachypnea, tachycardia, visual changes, seizures, unconsciousness, or changes in LOC
