Burns

Question 1

What is the immediate first aid for electrical burns?

Answer 1

1. Switch off the power supply
2. Remove the person from the source.

Question 2

What is the immediate first aid for chemical burns?

Answer 2

1. Brush any powder off then irrigate with water.
2. Attempts to neutralise the chemical are not recommended.

Question 3

What is the immediate first aid for burns caused by heat?

Answer 3

1. Remove the person from the source.
2. Within 20 minutes of the injury irrigate the burn with cool (not iced) water for about 10 to 30 minutes.
3. Cover the burn using cling film - layered NOT wrapped around the limb.

Question 4

Describe Wallace’s Rule of nines for assessing the extent of burns.

Answer 4

• Head + Neck = 9%
• Each arm = 9%
• Each anterior leg = 9%
• Each posterior leg =9%
• Anterior chest=9%
• Posterior chest = 9%
• Anterior abdomen = 9%
• Posterior Abdomen = 9%

Question 5

What is the most accurate method of measuring burns?

Answer 5

The Lund and Browder chart

Question 6

How do you assess the depth of a burn?

Answer 6

• Superficial epidermal (1st Degree) = red and painful
• Partial thickness (2nd Degree)
  
  • Superficial Dermal = Pale pink, painful, blistered.
  • Deep Dermal = White but may have non-blanching areas. Reduced sensation.
• Full Thickness (3rd Degree) White/Brown/Black in colour. No blisters. No pain.

Question 7

When should you refer a burn to secondary care?

Answer 7

• all deep dermal and full-thickness burns.
• superficial dermal burns of > 10% TBSA in adults, or more than 5% TBSA in children
• superficial dermal burns involving the face, hands, feet, perineum, genitalia, or any flexure, or circumferential burns of the limbs, torso, or neck
• any inhalation injury
• any electrical or chemical burn injury
• suspicion of NAI

Question 8

What is the management of burns (Not including the first aid tested on previous cards)

Answer 8

• Initial first aid as above
• Review referral criteria to ensure can be managed in primary care
• Superficial epidermal: symptomatic relief - analgesia, emollients etc
• Superficial dermal: cleanse wound, leave blister intact, non-adherent dressing, avoid topical creams, review in 24 hours

Question 9