Burn Types and Classification

Question 1

thermal burn

Answer 1

• caused by conduction or convection

- contact with hot liquid, fire, or steam

Question 2

electrical burn

Answer 2

• caused by the passage of electrical current through the body
• usually has a entrance and an exit wound
• complications include cardiac arrhythmias, respiratory arrest, renal failure, neurological damage, and fractures,
• example is lightening strike

Question 3

chemical burn

Answer 3

• certain chemical compounds come in contact with the body
• reaction with continue until the chemical compound is diluted at the site of contact
• examples are sulfuric acid, lye, hydrochloric acid, and gasoline

Question 4

radiation burn

Answer 4

• exposure to beam radiation therapy
• DNA is altered in exposed tissues and ischemic injury may be irreversible
• complications may include severe blistering and desquamation, non-healing wounds, tissue fibrosis, permanent discoloration, and new malignancies

Question 5

zone of coagulation

Answer 5

the area of the burn that received the most severe injury with irreversible cell damage

Question 6

zone of stasis

Answer 6

the area of less severe injury that possesses reversible damage the surrounds the zone of coagulation

Question 7

zone of hyperemia

Answer 7

area surrounding the zone of stasis that presents with inflammation, but will fully recover without any intervention or permanent damage

Question 8

superficial burn

Answer 8

• involves only the outer epidermis
• may be red with slight edema
• healing occurs without peeling or evidence of scarring in two to five days

Question 9

superficial partial-thickness burn

Answer 9

• involves the epidermis and the upper portion of the dermis
• may be extremely painful and exhibit blisters
• healing occurs with minimal to no scarring in 5-21 days

Question 10

deep partial thickness burn

Answer 10

• involves complete destruction of the epidermis and the majority of the dermis
• involved area may appear to be discolored with broken blisters and edema
• damage to nerve endings may result in only moderate levels of pain
• hypertrophic or keloid scarring may occur
• in the absence of infection, healing will occur in 21 to 35 days

Question 11

Full-thickness burn

Answer 11

• involves complete destruction of the epidermis and dermis along with partial damage to the subcutaneous fat layers
• involved layer typically presents with eschar formation and minimal pain
• requires grafts and is susceptible to infection
• healing time varies with small areas healing in weeks and larger areas taking months

Question 12

subdermal burn

Answer 12

• involves the complete destruction of the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue
• subdermal burns may involve muscle and bone and as a result requires surgical interventions and extensive healing times

Question 13

silver sulfadiazine advantages

Answer 13

• can be used with or without dressings
• painless
• can be applied directly to wound
• broad spectrum
• effective against yeast

Question 14

silver sulfadiazine disadvantages

Answer 14

• does not penetrate into eschar

Question 15

silver nitrate advantages

Answer 15

• broad spectrum
• non allergenic
• dressing application is painless

Question 16

silver nitrate disadvantages

Answer 16

• poor penetration
• discolors, making assessment difficult
• can cause severe electrolyte imbalance
• removal of dressings is painful

Question 17

povidone iodine advantages

Answer 17

• broad spectrum
• antifungal
• easily removed with water

Question 18

povidone iodine disadvantages

Answer 18

• not effective against pseudomonas
• may impair thyroid function
• painful application

Question 19

mafenide acetate advantages

Answer 19

• broad spectrum
• penetrates burn eschar
• may be used with or without occlusive dressings

Question 20

mafenide acetate disadvantages

Answer 20

• may cause metabolic acidosis
• may compromise respiratory function
• may inhibit epithelialization
• painful application

Question 21

gentamicin advantages

Answer 21

• broad-spectrum

- may be covered or left open to air

Question 22

gentamicin disadvantages

Answer 22

• has caused resistant strains
• ototoxic
• nephrotoxic

Question 23

nitrofurazone advantages

Answer 23

• bacteriocidal

- broad-spectrum

Question 24

nitrofurazone disadvantages

Answer 24

• may lead to overgrowth of fungus and pseudomonas

- painful application