Burns

Question 1

Superficial Burn

Answer 1

• Involves superficial epidermis
• Pain min-mod, no blistering or erythema (superficial reddening of the skin)
• Healing 3-7 days

Question 2

Superficial Partial-Thickness Burn

Answer 2

• Involves the epidermis and upper dermis layers
• Pain is significant, wet blistering and erythema are present
• Healing 1-3 weeks

Question 3

Deep Partial-Thickness Burn

Answer 3

• Involves the epidermis and the deep dermis layers, hair follicles, and sweat glands
• Pain is severe, even to light touch
• Erythema is present (with or without blisters)
• High risk of turning into full-thickness burn because of infection
• May have impairment of sensation
• High potential for hypertrophic scar
  Healing 3-5 weeks

Question 4

Full-Thickness Burn

Answer 4

• Involves the epidermis and dermis, hair follicles, sweat glands, and nerve endings
• Burn is pain free, no sensation to light touch
• Burn is pale and non blanching
• Requires skin graft
• Potential for hypertrophic scar extremely high

Question 5

Subdermal Burn

Answer 5

• Full-thickness burn with damage to underlying tissue such as fat, muscles, and bone
• Charring is present, may have exposed fat, tendons, muscles
• Peripheral nerve damage is significant
• Requires surgical intervention for wound closure or amputation

Question 6

Burn Emergent Phase

Answer 6

Splinting in antideformity positions

• Intrinsic plus for hands
• Extension for neck, elbows, and knees
• Shoulder in abduction and hip in extension

Question 7

Intrinsic Plus Splint for hand burn

Answer 7

Wrist 30 degrees extension, MPs 80-90 degrees flexion

Question 8

Burn Acute Phase

Answer 8

Splinting and positioning in antideformity positions, edema management, early participation in ADLs, and client and caregiver education

• ROM as tolerated
• NO P/AROM with exposed tendons or grafts (5-7 days)

Question 9

Burn Surgical and Post-op Phase

Answer 9

• Immobilization 3-10 days post graft
• Anticontracture positioning
• Gentle AROM to avoid shearing of new grafts

Question 10

Burn Rehab Phase

Answer 10

• Skin conditioning (skin lubrication)
• Skin massage to desensitize
• Compression therapy for both edema control and scar compression
• Stretching, resistive exercises, activity to tolerance, coordination activities

Question 11

Contracture

Answer 11

Results from tight scar band, hypertrophic scar, or prolonged immobilization

Question 12

Hypertrophic Scar

Answer 12

Scar is most apparent 6-8 weeks after wound closure, apply compression therapy early and continue 1-2 years

Question 13

Heterotrophic Ossification

Answer 13

Formation of bones in abnormal areas, causes loss of ROM and pain is localized and severe

Question 14

Pruritis

Answer 14

Persistant itching after a burn