Burn
Thermal injury that destroys layers of skin
Rule of 9s
Used with adults
- divides body into 9s or multiples of 9s to calculate total body surface area of burns
Lund-Browder chart
Children/infants
- more accurate method of calculating total body surface area
Superficial/1st degree burn
Superficial partial thickness/superficial 2nd degree burn
Deep partial thickness/deep 2nd degree burns
Full thickness/3rd degree burn
Subdermal burn
Mechanisms of burns
Chemical burn
Which is more severe: alkali or acid burn
Alkali
Which is more dangerous: high voltage or low voltage electrical burn?
Low voltage: at the same current
-causes greater muscle contraction, makes it more difficult for person to voluntarily control muscles to release electrified object
Causes single muscle contraction & throws victim from the source, client more likely to have blunt trauma along with burn
High voltage direct current
Emergent phase medical treatment focuses on
Sustaining life, controlling infection, manage pain
— can include IVs, intubation, escharotomy, fasciotomy, wound dressings w/anti microbial ointment for infection control, universal precautions for medical staff & family
Phase 0-72 hrs after injury
Emergent phase
Emergent phase: sustaining life
Fluid resuscitation
Rapid leakage of IV fluid into surrounding extra vascular tissues = decreased plasma & blood volume, reduced cardiac output
When is cardiopulmonary stability important?
If respiratory tract has sustained smoke inhalation injury
What leads to compartment syndrome?
The inelasticity of the eschar (burned tissue) increasing internal pressure within fascia compartments
Symptoms of compartment syndrome
Escharotomy & fasciotomy
Release pressure within fascia compartments
- Escharotomy: surgical excision of eschars
- Fasciotomy: incision into the fascia
What do wound dressing products do?
Types of wound dressings
Biological dressing types