Burns Flashcards
(90 cards)
Describe the 4 degrees of burn wounds
1st degree: To epidermis (sunburn)
2nd degree: To dermis: Superficial-papillary (blebs/blister-painful) & Deep-reticular (loss of hair follicles-loss of sensation)
3rd degree: To subcutaneous (leathery)
4th degree: Down to bone, adipose or muscle
How do 1st degree and 2nd degree (superficial) heal?
Epithelialization: primary site of epithelial cells are in the hair follicles. Loss of hair follicles such as in 2nd degree deep to 4th degree require skin graft
Describe initial volume resuscitation
Parkland Formula: 4cc/kg x% burn over 24 hours.
Give 1/2 in first 8 hrs, other 1/2 in the next 16hrs.
Use LR 1st 24hrs, then D5 1/2NS
When does Parkland formula resuscitation apply?
Only for greater or equal to 2nd degree that are greater than equal to 20% BSA
What risk increases with albumin resuscitation in severe burns?
PNA
Indication for escharotomy
- Circumferential deep burns with decreased temp, pulse, capillary refill, pain sensation.
- Trouble ventilating pt’s w/significant torso burns
When to initiate escharotomy?
within 4-6 hours to prevent myonecrosis
What are the types of escharotomy?
- Medial and lateral sides of limbs
- Dorsum of hands
- Fingers (avoid lateral incicisions due to nerves)
- Chest lateral, sub-clavicular and above costal margin
What electrolyte imbalance is due to Burns
HyperK released from dead tissue
What is the treatment for myoglobinuria?
volume resuscitation ad HCO3 to alkalinize urine
What specific initial blood test should be ordered when a burn patient is admitted?
carboxyhemoglobin
How to dress burns?
Silvadene, telfa and loosely wrapped gauze
How to dress burns over cartilaginous area?
Sulfamylon (mafenide) anti-microbial
When to excise burned area
within 48-72 hrs
How to excise burned areas for deep 2nd degree and 3rd degree
Use dermatome patterns
What determines residual skin viability?
color, texture, punctate bleeding
What is the best method of suspected burn wound infection?
Biopsy
When is auto-graft indicated?
if Cx pos for beta-hemolytic strep or bacteria greater than 10 to the 5th
What are the types of skin graft?
Auto-graft and Homograft
Types of auto graft
STSG and FTSG
What layers does STSG include?
epidermis and part of dermis
Advantages of STSG
- Better Survival: easier imbibition and re-vascularization
2. Can re-use donor site
Advantages of FTSG
- Less wound contraction
- Better skin color match: good for face, palms back of hands, genitals
(Not good for large areas, Not as many donor sites)
Donor sites for FTSG
- Behind the ear
- Above Clavicle
- Above groin