Plastic surgery Flashcards
Burns, hand surgery, and wound healing (6 cards)
Which one of the following is NOT correct reading the ‘A,B,C,D’ of basic first aid for a burnt patient?
a. ‘C’ applies to ensuring that shock is managed, fluid losses are corrected and the circulation is maintained.
b. ‘A’ applies to ensuring that the patient has an adequate airway.
c. ‘D’ applies to immediate and urgent surgical debridement which is the excision of all non-viable burnt tissue.
d. ‘B’ applies to breathing, which may be compromised if chest burns limit chest wall movement.
Answer: c
A: Airway - check if the airway is clear.
B: Breathing - assess breathing rate and effort.
C: Circulation - check pulse, BP, capillary refill; look for signs of shock; start fluid resuscitation.
D: Disability (Neurological status) - assess level of consciousness.
Which one of the following statements regarding the Jackson Burn Wound Model is NOT correct?
a. The intermediate zone involves damage to the micro-vasculature and risk for ischaemia.
b. Effective resuscitation may play a role in reducing ischaemia.
c. The key feature of the outer zone is vasoconstriction.
d. The inner zone involves coagulation and cell death.
Answer: c
Key feature of the outer zone = VasoDILATION.
Outer zone:
* Zone of hyperaemia
* Cellular damaged cause release of inflammatory markers by capillary wall, white blood cells and platelets.
* Leads to VASODILATION and increased permeability.
* Ongoing fluid loss from circulation to interstitial space.
Which one of the following statements regarding systemic effects of burns is NOT correct? (no option d)
a. Nutrition is compromised because the body enters a catabolic state.
b. Systemic effects are only seen when the burn injury involves >50% of the total body surface area.
c. Immunity may be suppressed, exposing the patient to infection.
Answer: b
Burn injury >20% TBSA
Which one of the following statements regarding burn depth is NOT correct?
a. Ultraviolet light may produce a second degree burn.
b. Pain is directly proportional to the depth/thickness of the burn.
c. Third degree burns are full thickness burns.
d. Ultraviolet light may produce a first degree burn.
Answer: b
Pain is INVERSELY proportional to the depth/thickness of the burn.
The more superficial the burn, the more painful it is.
Which one of the following would NOT be a criterion for admission to a Burn Unit?
a. A burn involving the perineum.
b. A patient with the best prognostic ‘age profile’ i.e. admit young and fit rather than infants and the elderly.
c. A patient with an inhalation burn.
d. A burned patient with a significant pre-existing medical condition e.g. diabetes.
Answer: b
Admission criteria = “Extremes of age”
Therefore, the elderly and infants meet the criteria for admission above the “young and fit”.
Which one of the following statements regarding scar management is NOT correct?
a. Massage promotes scar pliability.
b. Application of silicone promotes scar occlusion and hydration.
c. Pressure to the scar should be avoided as it limits blood flow and delays healing.
d. Massage has a role in remodelling underlying adhesions.
Answer: c
Pressure therapy is a well established method for managing hypertrophic and keloid scars.
Applying controlled pressure helps flatten and soften the scar, reduce collagen overproduction, and minimise hypertrophy.
