Burns

Question 1

What is the definition of a burn?

Answer 1

Coagulative destruction of the skin, sometimes including deeper tissues or organs.

Question 2

What are the common causes of burns?

Answer 2

Dry heat, moist heat, electricity, chemical caustics, irradiation.

Question 3

What is a scald?

Answer 3

A burn resulting from moist heat.

Question 4

What is the estimated global incidence of burns annually?

Answer 4

11 million people.

Question 5

What is the largest organ in the human body?

Answer 5

The skin.

Question 6

What are the layers of the skin?

Answer 6

Epidermis and dermis.

Question 7

Who conceptualized the zones of burn injury?

Answer 7

Jackson in 1947.

Question 8

What are the three zones of burn injury?

Answer 8

Zone of coagulation, zone of stasis, zone of hyperemia.

Question 9

What are the classifications of burn depth?

Answer 9

Superficial, partial-thickness, deep partial-thickness, full-thickness.

Question 10

What is the most important factor for good burn outcomes?

Answer 10

Immediate resuscitation and early wound closure.

Question 11

What is the primary objective of burn resuscitation?

Answer 11

To prevent burn shock and maintain perfusion.

Question 12

What is the recommended pre-hospital burn care?

Answer 12

Stop the burn process, cool with water for 10 minutes, wrap with a clean cloth.

Question 13

What is the primary survey approach for burn patients?

Answer 13

A: Airway, B: Breathing, C: Circulation, D: Disability, E: Exposure, F: Fluid resuscitation.

Question 14

What is the most concerning complication of inhalation injury?

Answer 14

Airway edema leading to respiratory failure.

Question 15

What are signs of inhalation injury?

Answer 15

Facial burns, carbonaceous sputum, hoarseness, singed nasal hairs.

Question 16

What is the rule of nines used for?

Answer 16

Estimating total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burns.

Question 17

What is the Parkland formula for fluid resuscitation?

Answer 17

4 x %BSA x weight (kg) = total fluid (ml) for first 24 hours.

Question 18

How is fluid given in the first 24 hours of burn resuscitation?

Answer 18

Half in the first 8 hours, the remaining half in the next 16 hours.

Question 19

What is the recommended fluid for initial burn resuscitation?

Answer 19

Ringer’s lactate.

Question 20

What is burn shock?

Answer 20

Hypovolemic shock caused by fluid loss due to increased capillary permeability.

Question 21

What are the two phases of burn pathophysiology?

Answer 21

Resuscitative phase and hypermetabolic phase.

Question 22

Why is early enteral nutrition important in burn patients?

Answer 22

To reduce bacterial translocation and support metabolic demands.

Question 23

What are common systemic responses to burns?

Answer 23

Hypermetabolism, immune suppression, renal dysfunction, cardiovascular changes.

Question 24

What laboratory investigations are essential for burn patients?

Answer 24

CBC, electrolytes, renal function tests, blood gases, wound swabs for culture.

Question 25

What is a circumferential burn?

Answer 25

A burn that completely encircles a body part, potentially causing compartment syndrome.

Question 26

What is the treatment for compartment syndrome in burns?

Answer 26

Escharotomy.

Question 27

What are the six Ps of compartment syndrome?

Answer 27

Pain, paresthesia, paralysis, poikilothermia, pulselessness, pallor.

Question 28

What is the importance of pain control in burn patients?

Answer 28

Reduces stress response and improves patient comfort during dressing changes.

Question 29

What is the treatment for inhalation injury?

Answer 29

Humidified oxygen, bronchodilators, chest physiotherapy, mechanical ventilation if needed.

Question 30

What are the complications of over-resuscitation?

Answer 30

Pulmonary edema, abdominal compartment syndrome, extremity compartment syndrome.

Question 31

What is the best way to prevent hypothermia in burn patients?

Answer 31

Maintain a warm environment, use heated IV fluids, and cover the patient.

Question 32

What are the common burn wound infections?

Answer 32

Cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis, sepsis.

Question 33

What are the signs of burn wound infection?

Answer 33

Increased pain, fever, purulent discharge, erythema extending beyond the wound margins.

Question 34

What is the most common cause of burn-related sepsis?

Answer 34

Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Question 35

What are the treatment options for burn wound infections?

Answer 35

Topical antimicrobials, systemic antibiotics, surgical debridement if necessary.

Question 36

What are the indications for skin grafting in burns?

Answer 36

Full-thickness burns, deep partial-thickness burns, wounds not healing within 3 weeks.

Question 37

What are common skin substitutes used in burn management?

Answer 37

Homografts, porcine xenografts, amniotic membranes, collagen derivatives.

Question 38

What are the benefits of early wound excision?

Answer 38

Reduces infection risk, improves healing, and shortens hospital stay.

Question 39

What are the complications of burns?

Answer 39

Hypovolemic shock, electrolyte imbalances, infections, renal failure, contractures, abnormal scarring.

Question 40

What is the leading cause of death in burn patients?

Answer 40

Sepsis.

Question 41

What is Marjolin’s ulcer?

Answer 41

A squamous cell carcinoma arising in chronic burn scars.

Question 42

What are hypertrophic scars?

Answer 42

Thick, raised scars that develop due to excessive collagen deposition during healing.

Question 43

What is the role of pressure garments in burn rehabilitation?

Answer 43

Prevents hypertrophic scarring and improves skin remodeling.

Question 44

Why is physiotherapy important in burn patients?

Answer 44

Prevents contractures, maintains range of motion, and improves functional recovery.

Question 45

What is the main goal of occupational therapy in burn patients?

Answer 45

To help patients regain daily functional abilities and adapt to limitations.

Question 46

What is the treatment for pruritus in burn patients?

Answer 46

Moisturizers, antihistamines, and pressure garments.

Question 47

What is the effect of burns on the gastrointestinal system?

Answer 47

Can cause adynamic ileus, gastric ulcers, and bacterial translocation.

Question 48

What is the primary treatment for chemical burns?

Answer 48

Irrigation with copious amounts of water to remove the chemical agent.

Question 49

Why are electrical burns particularly dangerous?

Answer 49

They can cause deep tissue damage and cardiac arrhythmias.

Question 50

What is the primary concern in high-voltage electrical burns?

Answer 50

Cardiac arrhythmias and rhabdomyolysis.

Question 51

What is the importance of ECG monitoring in electrical burns?

Answer 51

To detect arrhythmias caused by electrical injury.

Question 52

What is the aim of diuresis in electrical burn patients?

Answer 52

To prevent renal damage due to myoglobinuria from muscle breakdown.

Question 53

How can burn contractures be prevented?

Answer 53

Early physiotherapy, splinting, and surgical release if needed.

Question 54

What are the three levels of burn prevention?

Answer 54

Primary (education), Secondary (first aid), Tertiary (specialized burn care).

Question 55

What is the purpose of the Lund & Browder chart?

Answer 55

To provide a more accurate estimation of burn surface area, especially in children.

Question 56

What are the most critical factors in burn management?

Answer 56

Early fluid resuscitation, infection control, wound care, and rehabilitation.