Exam 3 Flashcards
(256 cards)
Where do most burn injuries occur
At home 73%
Industry-related (work) 8%
Recreational accidents 5%
Other sources 14%
What affects severity of burn injuries
Age (young and old people more morbidity and mortality bc thin skin)
Burn depth
TBSA
Inhalation injury
Presence of other injuries
Location of injury in special care areas (face, perineum, hands, feet)
Presence of a chronic illness (DM, bad for wound healing)
Adults with >40% TBSA high risk for m&m
First degree burn
superficial
Epidermis is intact or partially injured
Sunburn or superficial scald
Red, tender, peeling, itching, minimal or no edema, possible blisters (a positive Nikolsky’s sign, upper layer can be separated from lower layers by smearing it).
Complete recovery within a week; no scarring
Second degree burn
partial thickness
Destruction of the epidermis and portion of dermis
Scalds, flash flame contact
Blistered, mottled red base; weeping surface; edema
Recovery 2-3 wks; some scarring and depigmentation
Possible, may require grafting
Third degree burn
Full-thickness
Flame, prolonged exposure to hot liquids, electric current, chemical contact
Total destruction of epidermis and dermis and, in some cases, destruction of connective tissue and muscle (these two things are under the epidermis and dermis)
Painless and lacks sensation–nerve fibers destroyed. Shock. Myoglobinuria (red pigment in urine) and possible hemolysis.
Possible contact points (entrance or exit wounds in electrical burns).
Dry; pale white, red brown, leathery, or charred; coagulated vessels may be visible
Require skin grafting for healing
Fourth degree burn
Deep burn necrosis
Prolong exposure or high voltage electrical injury
Deep tissue, muscle and bone affected
Shock, myoglobinuria and possible hemolysis
Charred
Amputations likely
Grafting of no benefit, given depth and severity of wound(s).
Rule of nines
11 nines and 1% for perineum
4.5% front and back of head (9)
4.5% front and back of arm (9)
4.5% front and back of arm (9)
18% front of midsection (two 9s’)
18% back of midsection (two 9’s)
9% front of leg (9)
9% back of leg (9)
9% front of leg (9)
9% back of leg (9)
Major burn injuries
Adults with greater than 40% TBSA burned are at high risk for morbidity and mortality.
Burns exceed 30% TBSA produce both a local and a systemic response and are considered major burn injuries
Cardiovascular burn shock
Hypovolemia (inflammation > leaky capillaries > fluid moves out of vasculature > third spacing)
Increased capillary permeability (cells stay in, plasma leaves)
Decreased CO and BP
Additional findings include hypotension and tachycardia
Initial fluid and electrolyte changes
Hct and Hgb–elevated due to loss of fluid volume and fluid shifts into interstitial space (third spacing)
sodium–decreased due to third spacing (hyponatremia) sodium follows water
potassium–increased due to cell destruction (hyperkalemia)
Later fluid and electrolyte changes
Hgb and Hct–decreased due to fluid shift from interstitial space back into vascular fluid
Serum sodium levels vary in response to fluid resuscitation.
Potassium–decreased due to fluid shift and inadequate potassium replacement.
Blood glucose–elevated due to stress response
Total protein and albumin–low
Compartment syndrome and edema in burn
When edema develops: monitor for circulation: as the taut, burned tissue can act like a tourniquet, especially if the burn is circumferential.
Treatment for edema
Elevating the affect limb
In severe cases: escharotomy (cutting through the eschar) or
Fasciotomy (deeper incision through fascia to relieve muscle constriction)—to restore tissue perfusion
Pulmonary alterations with burn
Can be either thermal or/and chemical
Thermal inhalation injury:
findings may include singed hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes; a sooty appearance to sputum; hoarseness, and wheezing.
Treatment of inhalation injury
Oxygenation, encourage the patient to cough
Monitor the patient closely and continuously
What to watch for in inhalation injury
airway management is the priority
watch for ARDS and pneumonia
increased secretions and inflammation
CO poisoning
suspected if the injury took place in an enclosed area
findings include erythema (pink or cherry red color skin) and upper airway edema, followed by sloughing of respiratory tract mucosa
hgb carries 4 oxygen, which are now occupied by CO
Normal pulse ox
Treatment of CO poisoning
100% oxygen
Burn unit referral criteria
partial thickness burns greater than 10%
burns that involve the face, hands, feet, genitalia, perineum, or major joints
third-degree burns in any age group
electrical burns
chemical burns
inhalation injury
with pre existing medical disorders
concomitant trauma
Emergency Procedures at the Burn Scene
use cool water (can use cool clean towels or sheets, never use ice or cold soaks for longer than several mins)
Remove restrictive objects like jewelry and piercings (circulation!)
Cover wound w clean cloth to prevent contamination and hypothermia
Irrigate chemical burns with lots of water
Educate family to monitor for infection
Don’t use greasy lotions or butter on burn
Tetanus and immunization status
Emergent/Resuscitative phase of burns (interventions)
oxygenation, secretions removal, bronchodilation are URGENT!!
Fluids for emergent phase of burn
Lactated Ringers preferred: sodium, potassium, chloride, lactate (bicarbonate)
higher pH 6.5 than NS (5.0); patients may be in metabolic acidosis and the metabolized lactate will buffer the acidosis
Urine output for burn pts
0.5-1ml/kg/hr–for thermal and chemical burn
75-100 ml/hr for electrical injuries
Acute/Intermediate phase of burns
From beginning of diuresis to near completion of wound closure
Priorities:
-Wound care and closure
-Prevention or treatment of complications
-Nutritional support so they don’t burn their own muscles
Late pulmonary complications secondary to inhalation injuries
Hyperthermia is common (resetting of the core body temperature)