Chapter 29 Burns
You are assessing a patient who complains of a burn. The skin is dry and pink in color. There are no blisters. This burn is most likely A. superficial. B. deep partial-thickness. C. superficial partial-thickness. D. full-thickness.
A. superficial.
Which patient care modality can reduce the pain associated with your patient's moderate to severe partial-thickness burns? A. Initiate high-flow oxygen therapy. B. Cover the burns with a sterile burn sheet. C. Cool the burn sites with cold water immersion. D. None of the above will assist in pain control.
B. Cover the burns with a sterile burn sheet.
What is the MOST ominous finding indicating a patient's airway is about to swell shut from an inhalation injury? A. Partial-thickness burns to the face B. Stridor C. Burns in the mouth D. Singed nasal hairs
B. Stridor
The palm of your patient's hand is approximately what percentage of her total body surface area? A. 9 percent B. 0.5 percent C. 1 percent D. 2 percent
C. 1 percent ***An alternative way to determine the BSA estimate is to compare it to the surface area of the patient's palm, which equals approximately 1 percent of BSA. This is known as the rule of ones, also called the rule of palms.
Which of the following is the second layer of the skin? A. Epidermis B. Hyperdermis C. Dermis D. Hypodermis
C. Dermis ***The dermis is the second layer of skin and contains the small capillary beds and the sensory structures.
Which of the following is the body's largest organ? A. Brain B. Liver C. Skin D. Stomach
C. Skin ***The skin is the largest organ of the body and serves as a barrier against outside insult and injury.
A 3-year-old male patient pulled a pan of hot grease from an electric stove onto himself. He has burns to both arms and his chest. How would this burn be classified? A. Chemical B. Radiation C. Thermal D. Electrical
C. Thermal ***Thermal burns are associated with heat applied to the body.
Which degree of burn is commonly associated with electrical injuries? A. Third B. Second C. First D. Fourth
D. Fourth
You are called to the scene of a patient who was burned in an electrical mishap. Upon arrival, you find the patient lying beside some wiring that he was working on. What should be your first consideration? A. The patient will have airway burns. B. The patient will probably be in ventricular fibrillation. C. The patient should be flown to the closest burn center. D. The wires may still be live.
D. The wires may still be live.
Which statement about electrical burns is TRUE? A. Use a wooden broom handle to move a patient away from the electrical source. B. Patients in cardiac arrest from exposure to electricity are rarely resuscitated, because even shockable heart rhythms will not respond to defibrillation. C. Scene safety is crucial. Even if disconnected from the electrical source, the patient can still transmit stored electricity to you. D. All tissue between the entrance and exit wounds may be injured.
D. All tissue between the entrance and exit wounds may be injured. ***As the energy enters the body, it will seek the path of least resistance to exit the body. All tissues between the entrance and exit of the current will potentially be injured, owing to the extreme heat created by the resistance of body structures to the electricity. Since the body, especially the heart, produces its own electrical energy from chemical reactions, electrical injuries can disturb or destroy these functions, causing irregular heartbeat or even cardiac arrest.
The EMT is called to an area business due to an alkaline substance leaking, causing burns to the skin. Which type of burn would this be classified as? A. Inhalation B. Radiation C. Electrical D. Chemical
D. Chemical
A person's FIRST reaction when startled by a flash fire or explosion is normally to: A. protect the eyes. B. lose consciousness. C. run. D. inhale deeply.
D. Inhale deeply.
The condition that occurs after a burn when fluid and proteins move out of the vasculature and into surrounding tissue is called: A. cardiogenic shock. B. leaky capillary beds. C. hypovolemic shock. D. burn shock.
D. burn shock. ***A condition that can occur with moderate to major burns that cover sufficient body surface area (BSA) is called burn shock. Burn shock, which develops only after the first few hours, results from extensive vascular bed damage that allows both fluid and protein molecules in the plasma to leak into surrounding tissues. The fluid loss just described can lead to shock (hypoperfusion).
What type of burn mechanism may NOT have significant superficial tissue injuries, but the burns may be located deeper in the tissue?
Electrical burns ***Because bones, muscles, and other tissues offer resistance to the electrical energy passing through them, the by-product is heat, which results in internal burns. Often, the internal burns are more significant than the cutaneous burns.
What type of burn occurs when the patient comes into contact with fire or flames?
Flame burn ***A flame burn occurs when the patient comes into contact with an open flame. The clothing may ignite, causing further burn injury. Natural clothing fibers typically will burn, whereas synthetic fibers will usually melt, which causes a contact burn in addition to the flame burn.
The swelling of the upper airway as a result of inhalation of hot gases would be considered what type of burn mechanism?
Gas burn ***Hot gases may cause upper airway burns; however, it is not likely that the hot gas will cause distal airway burns. Distal airway injury may occur from the by-products of combustion rather than from the hot gas
If a child pulled a boiling pot of water off the stove and was burned by it, what type of burn mechanism would this be?
Scald burn
The EMT is determining total body surface area involved due to severe full-thickness burns to a large portion of the body in an adolescent. Which method should the EMT use? A. Rule of threes B. Rule of ones C. Rule of fives D. Rule of nines
A. Rule of threes ***The rule of nines is used to calculate total body surface area in a person with partial-thickness or full-thickness burns. The rule of ones refers to using the size of the palm of the hand and is used for smaller, more patchy burns. There are no rules of threes or fives.
When a person experiences a severe electrical shock caused by directly touching the electrical source, the entrance wound is often on the hand, and the exit wound: A. may be difficult to find. B. will be obvious. C. is always the body part closest to the ground. D. will be opposite the body part with the entrance wound.
A. may be difficult to find.
What should you place on a burn that covers more than 10 percent of your patient's body? A. A burn sheet B. A petroleum dressing C. Sterile water D. Moistened gauze
A. A burn sheet ***Cover the burned area with a dry sterile dressing or a sterile, particle-free disposable burn sheet or an approved commercial burn dressing. A clean white sheet is acceptable if no burn sheet is available. Continual use of a wet or moist dressing may cause hypothermia because of the loss of heat regulation in the burned area.
A female patient in her late 20s is lying unconscious in a work area with exposed electrical wiring. The supervisor on scene has turned off and locked out the power source on which the patient was working. As you approach, you see burn wounds on both hands. The patient's breathing is slow and irregular, and her distal pulse is slow and weak. What action should you take FIRST? A. Assess the airway and assist breathing. B. Immobilize the patient to a long backboard. C. Attach an AED, as the patient is about to go into cardiac arrest. D. Complete a secondary assessment.
A. Assess the airway and assist breathing. ***Establish and maintain a patent airway and adequate breathing. If the tidal volume or respiratory rate is inadequate, initiate positive pressure ventilation at a rate of 10 to 12 per minute.
What is the FIRST step in removing dry chemicals from the body? A. Brushing off the excess material B. Vacuuming the excess material C. Pouring water on the body D. Neutralizing the chemical with vinegar
A. Brushing off the excess material ***The first step with chemicals on the body (especially dry chemicals), is to brush off any excess. Then use a copious amount of water to flush the exposed areas.
A patient has partial-thickness burns over 18 percent of his body, including both feet. Which classification does this patient fall under? A. Critical B. Minor C. Moderate D. Superficial
A. Critical ***Hands and feet are given special consideration because of the potential for loss of function. Burn injuries to the genital or groin region are of concern because of the potential for loss of genitourinary function and increased chances for infection.
What is the resulting injury called when the burn penetrates all the way to the bottom layer of skin? A. Full thickness B. Partial thickness C. Superficial D. Superficial partial thickness
A. Full thickness ***Formerly known as a third-degree burn, a full-thickness burn involves all the layers of the skin. A partial-thickness burn involves not only the epidermis but also portions of the dermis. A superficial burn involves only the epidermis.
A 42-year-old male patient was rescued from a house fire. His legs appear black and charred. He does not complain of any pain. What is the proper classification of this burn? A. Full-thickness. B. Superficial partial-thickness C. Superficial D. Deep partial-thickness
A. Full-thickness. ***Full-thickness burns do not usually present with pain due to nerve damage. The skin may present black and charred or hard and leathery.
Which of the following is an accurate statement regarding the dermis? A. It contains the sensory structures of the skin. B. It provides a watertight barrier. C. It is composed of fatty connective tissue. D. It contains the larger blood vessels.
A. It contains the sensory structures of the skin. ***The dermis contains small capillary beds and the sensory structures of the skin.
Which body system is generally NOT harmed by extensive burns? A. Skeletal B. Nervous C. Circulatory D. Gastrointestinal
A. Skeletal ***With severe burns, the circulatory, nervous, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and muscular systems can be involved even though they were not part of the initial burn. The skeletal system, unless specifically involved in the burn, generally is not affected.
Which burns would be considered minor in an adult patient in terms of burn severity? A. Superficial burns over the front and back of both arms B. Partial-thickness burns of the right hand and arm C. Full-thickness burns of one leg D. Partial-thickness burns over both legs
A. Superficial burns over the front and back of both arms ***Superficial burns that involve less than 50 percent of the body are considered minor. Given the extent of injuries described in this patient, superficial burns that involve roughly 18 percent of the body would be minor. Just as the depth of the burn injury and its body surface area are important, so too is the location of the burn. Injuries to certain body areas are more critical than injuries to other areas. Burns of the face are considered critical because of the potential for respiratory compromise and long-term cosmetic concerns, as are burns to the eyes or ears. Hands and feet are also given special consideration because of the potential for loss of function. Circumferential burns, which encircle a body area such as an arm, a leg, or the chest, and especially burns that encircle joint areas, are critical because of the circulatory compromise and nerve damage that result from constriction or from swelling tissues.
If you arrive on scene and find a burned patient with hypoperfusion, what does that tell you about the status of the patient's circulatory system? A. The patient has blood loss from elsewhere in the body. B. The patient's heart is failing. C. The patient's blood vessels are starting to dilate. D. The patient is suffering from burn shock.
A. The patient has blood loss from elsewhere in the body. ***The fluid loss from burn shock is usually not significant in the early hours of a burn. An EMT who finds a newly burned patient in a state of hypoperfusion should first consider direct blood loss from an associated external or internal hemorrhage.
A patient sustains burns from boiling water that spilled from a pot. Which type of burn should the paramedic document in the record? A. Thermal burn B. Flash burn C. Flame burn D. Contact burn
A. Thermal burn ***A thermal burn is caused by contact with hot water, heat, or steam. A flash burn is a flame burn that happens from a flammable gas or liquid that quickly ignites. A flame burn occurs from an individual coming in contact with an open flame. A contact burn occurs from contact with a hot object such as a curling iron or hot exhaust pipe.
White and waxy to dark brown or black coloration and charred skin are the signs of a: A. full-thickness burn. B. superficial burn. C. second-degree burn. D. partial-thickness burn.
A. full-thickness burn. ***A full-thickness burn involves all the layers of the skin. This type of burn results from contact with extreme heat sources such as hot liquids or solids, flame, chemicals, or electricity. The skin will become dry, hard, tough, and leathery and may appear white and waxy to dark brown or black and charred
The innermost layer of skin is known as the A. hypodermis. B. hyperdermis. C. dermis. D. epidermis.
A. hypodermis. ***The hypodermis (also called the subcutaneous layer) is the innermost layer of skin.
A patient has partial-thickness burns over 35 percent of his body, including both feet. Which classification does this patient fall under? A. Minor B. Critical C. Superficial D. Moderate
B. Critical
You are assessing a 36-year-old male patient who was injured in a house fire. He made it out just before the entire house flashed over. He has burns to his entire right arm and soot marks around his face and nose. What care should you give this patient? A. Take vitals, and then transport him to the local hospital. B. Administer oxygen, place a dry dressing on the arm, and transport him to the burn center. C. Wrap the arm in a wet dressing, and transport him to the local emergency department for further assessment. D. Flush the burn injury right away.
B. Administer oxygen, place a dry dressing on the arm, and transport him to the burn center. ***Pay particular attention to evidence of inhalation injury to the patient's upper airway. Maintain an open airway, and administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 15 lpm, since inhalation of toxic gases is suspected. Give the patient a full assessment, apply a dry dressing, and prepare to transport him to the burn center.
In accordance with the rule of nines, how does the head of an infant compare with the head of an adult? A. An infant's head and neck account for half the total body surface area of an adult's. B. An infant's head and neck account for twice the total body surface area of an adult's. C. The rule of nines does not apply to infants. D. An infant's head and neck account for the same total body surface area as an adult's.
B. An infant's head and neck account for twice the total body surface area of an adult's ***For an adult, the head and neck account for a total of 9 percent of the body area. For infants, divide the head and neck area into the anterior and posterior surface, and award nine percent for each. This doubles the amount of applied surface area for infants.
You are treating a 57-year-old female victim of partial-thickness thermal burns of the hands, arms, feet, legs, genitalia, and anterior torso. After you have brought her airway under control, administered high-flow oxygen via a nonrebreather mask, and cooled the burned area with saline, she is still complaining of being in severe pain. After using cool saline to stop the burning, which of the additional steps can you take to relieve some of her pain? A. Place an ice pack over the burn. B. Cover the burn with a sterile burn sheet. C. Pain management is not necessary for partial-thickness burns. D. Cover the burns with silver sulfadiazine.
B. Cover the burn with a sterile burn sheet. ***Use water or saline to help stop the burning and reduce pain. When you have finished doing this, cover the patient with a sterile burn sheet, as even the movement of air currents over a burn can be painful. Do not use ice packs.
Age is a major factor in determining the severity of a burn injury. Which statement is CORRECT? A. Any burn that is classified as minor in an adult younger than 55 years of age is classified as critical in an adult older than 55 years of age. B. Infants have a potential for greater fluid loss in burn injuries than adults. C. Children under 10 years of age have less tolerance for burn injuries. D. Adults over 45 years of age have less tolerance for burn injuries.
B. Infants have a potential for greater fluid loss in burn injuries than adults. ***Because of children's relatively larger skin surface in relation to body mass, children have the potential for greater fluid loss in burn injuries than adults do.
The paramedic arrives on the scene of a train derailment. There are people around the area who are having difficulty breathing. Which type of injury should the paramedic expect to find? A. Electrical B. Inhalation C. Radiation D. Thermal
B. Inhalation ***Inhalation injuries occur from airway damage from toxic gases or steam. They would cause airflow restriction.
Which burn injury in an adult patient would be considered critical in terms of severity? A. Superficial burns over the front and back of both arms B. Partial-thickness burns of the right hand and arm C. Partial-thickness burns to the upper thorax posteriorly D. Partial-thickness burns involving the anterior thigh and shin
B. Partial-thickness burns of the right hand and arm ***Although the involved percentage is only 9 percent, involvement of a hand shifts this patient from minor to critical, as hand injuries are considered to be more significant because of potential loss of function. Burns of the face are considered critical because of the potential for respiratory compromise and long-term cosmetic concerns, as are burns to the eyes or ears. Burn injuries to the genital or groin region are of concern because of the potential for loss of genitourinary function and increased chances for infection. Finally, burns that occur to regions of the body where there is major joint function may be considered critical because of loss of joint function if the injury does not receive appropriate burn care early in the course of recovery.
Upon your arrival for a burn patient, the scene size-up reveals that the patient is a child. Why do pediatric patients have more difficulty dealing with burns than adults? A. Pediatric patients deal with burns better than adults do. B. Pediatric patients have a high body surface area to body weight ratio. C. Pediatric patients have a low tolerance for the associated pain. D. Pediatric patients have an underdeveloped integumentary system.
B. Pediatric patients have a high body surface area to body weight ratio. ****The pediatric patient has a high body surface area to body weight ratio, which means that the fluid reserves needed for dealing with the burn effects are lower than those of their older counterparts.
How is the circulatory system affected by severe burns? A. Blood vessel blockage B. Vascular damage with fluid shifting C. Slowing of the heart rate and increased systemic vascular resistance D. Increased blood volume from burn shock
B. Vascular damage with fluid shifting ***A condition that can occur with moderate to major burns that cover sufficient body surface area (BSA) is called burn shock. Burn shock, which develops only after the first few hours, results from extensive vascular bed damage that allows both fluid and protein molecules in the plasma to leak into surrounding tissues. The result is a large fluid shift out of the vessels and into the spaces surrounding the cells to a point at which the total vascular volume is insufficient to meet the body's needs.
Burns to the face are considered critical because: A. the patient's speech may be affected. B. of the potential for respiratory compromise. C. of an elevated risk of infection. D. the skin is thinner on the face.
B. of the potential for respiratory compromise. ***Burns of the face are considered critical because of the potential for respiratory compromise and long-term cosmetic concerns, as are burns to the eyes or ears.
In applying burn dressings to the hands, feet, or eyes, the guidelines include: A. applying a dressing only to the injured eye so that the patient can still see with the unaffected eye. B. separating all digits with dry, sterile dressing material. C. leaving rings and other jewelry in place to reduce swelling. D. forcing the eyelids open if they are burned and irrigating the eyes with saline.
B. separating all digits with dry, sterile dressing material. ***Separate all digits with dry, sterile dressing material to prevent adhering of burned areas. Do not force eyelids open if they are burned; when dressing the eye, cover the unaffected eye also.
Which statement is TRUE about a partial-thickness burn? A. Partial-thickness burns are not very painful due to the nerve ending damage. B. Partial-thickness burns cause damage to the blood vessels and cause plasma and tissue fluid to collect and form blisters. C. The damaged skin of a partial-thickness burn is called eschar. D. A partial-thickness burn involves only the epidermis; causes red, dry skin; and can be very painful.
B. Partial-thickness burns cause damage to the blood vessels and cause plasma and tissue fluid to collect and form blisters ***A partial-thickness burn involves not only the epidermis but also portions of the dermis. Partial-thickness burns occur from contact with fire, hot liquids or objects, chemical substances, or the sun. In addition, damage to the small blood vessels causes plasma and tissue fluid to collect between the layers of skin and form blisters. Since pain receptors are still intact, the patient will complain of pain from the burn. Eschar is the tough and leathery dead soft tissue that is formed in the full-thickness burn injury.
According to the rule of nines, what would the involved surface area be for an adult victim who has received burns to her right arm and right anterior chest? A. 9.5 percent B. 18 percent C. 13.5 percent D. 16 percent
C. 13.5 percent ***The arm would account for 9 percent, and one side of the anterior chest would account for another 4.5 percent, for a total of 13.5 percent.
You are dispatched to the scene of a propane tank fire. On your arrival, you are directed to a 30-year-old male patient with partial-thickness burns over the anterior side of the legs, genital area, thorax, and face. As you approach the patient, you establish that he is conscious and well oriented, his respirations are 22, his radial pulse is 96, and the pulse oximeter shows 92 percent on room air. You immediately place him on high-flow oxygen via nonrebreather mask. To what oxygen saturation should you titrate your oxygen therapy? A. 90 percent or greater B. 92 percent or greater C. 94 percent or greater D. 100 percent
C. 94 percent or greater ***If inhalation of toxic gases is suspected, maintain an open airway and administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 15 lpm. If toxic inhalation is not suspected, administer oxygen if the SpO2 is less than 94 percent, if the patient complains of dyspnea, or if the patient exhibits signs or symptoms of respiratory distress, hypoxia, hypoxemia, poor perfusion, or heart failure.
What term is used for a burn that wraps around an entire body surface? A. Partial thickness B. Complete C. Circumferential D. Eschar
C. Circumferential ***Circumferential burns, which encircle a body area such as an arm, a leg, or the chest, and especially burns that encircle joint areas, are critical because of the circulatory compromise and nerve damage that result from constriction or from swelling tissues. Burns that encircle the chest may impede respiratory function by limiting expansion of the chest.
You arrive at a chemical explosion in a factory and are completing your scene size-up. What types of burn mechanisms might have occurred? A. Water, electrical, flame, and flash B. Contact, corrosive, and flash C. Gas, contact, flame, and flash D. Electrical, water, and corrosive
C. Gas, contact, flame, and flash ***In case of an explosion in a chemical factory, the EMT should anticipate potential burns from gas, contact, flame, and flash mechanisms. Hot gases may cause upper airway burns; however, it is not likely that the hot gas will cause distal airway burns. Distal airway injury may occur from the by-products of combustion rather than from the hot gas. A contact burn occurs from contact with a hot object. The burn is normally localized to the area of contact. Flame burn occurs when the patient comes into contact with an open flame. The clothing may ignite, causing further burn injury. A flash burn is a type of flame burn but is the result of a flammable gas or liquid that ignites quickly. Areas of the body that are covered by clothing normally are not burned by the flash.
Another way of identifying the seriousness of a burn is by degrees. Which statement is TRUE? A. A superficial burn is also called a second-degree burn. B. A first-degree burn is the most serious and the deepest. C. A second-degree burn is characterized by red, dry skin. D. A full-thickness burn is also known as a third-degree burn.
D. A full-thickness burn is also known as a third-degree burn.
An EMT working a local sporting event responds to a call for a burn. The EMT notes it is a first-degree burn from contact to spilled hot chocolate. The skin is pink without blistering. Which type of burn should the EMT document? A. Partial-thickness B. Full-thickness C. Superficial D. Deep partial-thickness
C. Superficial ***A superficial burn is a first-degree burn that presents with pink to red dry skin without blistering. A full-thickness burn involves all layers of the skin causing a charred, dark brown or white, leathery appearance. Partial-thickness burns are further classified as superficial partial-thickness and deep partial-thickness burns. These burns have blisters with white to red skin that is moist and mottled.
What is the cause of a majority of deaths that are seen prehospitally secondary to a burning mechanism? A. Dehydration, toxic inhalation, and hypothermia B. Subcutaneous depression, hypertension, and toxic inhalation C. Toxic inhalation and occluded airway D. Toxic shock syndrome, superheated air inhalation, and cellular degeneration
C. Toxic inhalation and occluded airway
The FIRST priority on any call in which a person was burned is: A. contacting aeromedical support. B. stopping the burning process. C. completing a scene size-up. D. determining the transport mode.
C. completing a scene size-up. ***Your first priority is to determine whether the scene is safe to enter. Do not enter scenes for which you are not trained. If the patient is in an unsafe environment, such as a fire-engulfed building, and you do not have the proper equipment or training to enter, you must wait until properly equipped and trained personnel can safely remove the patient. Once the scene is safe to enter, you must take appropriate Standard Precautions and then begin assessing the mechanism of injury and number of patients.
The tough, leathery dead soft tissue that forms after a full-thickness burn is called: A. keratosis. B. deep injury. C. eschar. D. scar tissue.
C. eschar ***The tough and leathery dead soft tissue that is formed in the full-thickness burn injury is called an eschar. Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition that causes rough patches and small, acne-like bumps, usually on the arms, thighs, cheeks and buttocks.
Continual use of a wet dressing in a burn patient may cause: A. epidermal edema. B. saline saturation. C. hypothermia. D. infection.
C. hypothermia ***Because of the loss of thermoregulation of the skin with larger burns, the use of a wet dressing may cause the patient to become hypothermic and should be avoided. Cool for 60 to 120 seconds only.
Infants who suffer burn injuries are at higher risk than adults for shock, airway difficulties, and: A. full-depth wounds. B. cardiac arrest. C. hypothermia. D. epidermal infections.
C. hypothermia. ***With the damage to any patient's skin, there will be a diminishment in the thermoregulation capabilities of the body. Since infants have a higher proportion of surface area, infants who suffer burn injuries would be especially prone to hypothermia if it is not prevented.
If clothing that is burned adheres to a patient, you should:
C. leave it and cover it with a dry, sterile dressing. ***If clothing that is burned adheres to a patient, you should:
Guidelines for the treatment of chemical burns include: A. continuing to flush the burned area with water for at least 5 minutes. B. flushing a chemical out of the eye from the corner of the eye to the bridge of the nose. C. minimizing further wound contamination when flushing with water by making sure the fluid runs away from the injury and not toward uninjured areas. D. immediately flushing dry chemicals off the skin with copious amounts of water to minimize the severity of the burn.
C. minimizing further wound contamination when flushing with water by making sure the fluid runs away from the injury and not toward uninjured areas. ***Minimize further wound contamination by making sure fluid runs away from the injury but not toward any uninjured areas. Dry chemicals should be brushed off before being flushed with water. Most chemical burns can be flushed with copious amounts of water. Always ensure that the chemical is one that may be diluted with water. Consult a hazardous materials guidebook because some chemicals may produce combustion when they come into contact with water.
You are assessing a patient and notice red discoloration with blisters on her legs. This type of burn would be classified as: A. superficial. B. subcutaneous. C. partial thickness. D. full thickness.
C. partial thickness ***Formerly known as a second-degree burn, a partial-thickness burn involves not only the epidermis but also portions of the dermis. Partial-thickness burns occur from contact with fire (flame or flash), hot liquids or objects, chemical substances, or the sun. In addition, damage to the small blood vessels causes plasma and tissue fluid to collect between the layers of skin and form blisters. Since pain receptors are still intact, the patient will complain of pain from the burn.
A full-thickness, or third-degree, burn: A. can cause intense pain from nerve ending damage. B. will cause the skin to appear red, moist, and mottled. C. results from contact with hot liquids, flame, chemicals, or electricity. D. will cause the epidermis to peel and will take several days to heal.
C. results from contact with hot liquids, flame, chemicals, or electricity. ***This type of burn results from contact with extreme heat sources such as hot liquids or solids, flame, chemicals, or electricity. The skin will become dry, hard, tough, and leathery and may appear white and waxy to dark brown or black and charred. The tough and leathery dead soft tissue that is formed in the full-thickness burn injury is called an eschar. Most full-thickness burns are not very painful because nerve endings have been destroyed. However, in most such injuries, there will be surrounding areas of partial-thickness and/or superficial burns that may cause intense pain.
The EMT is caring for a patient who presents with burns to the hand from touching a stove top burner. Which type of burn would this be considered? A. Radiation B. Scald C. Chemical D. Contact
D. Contact ***Contact burns occur from contact with a hot object such as a stove top burner. Contact with hot liquid causes a scald burn. A chemical burn is caused by acids, alkalis, or other chemicals. Radiation burns are from contact with radiation.
Which group of patients are more apt to develop infections secondary to burns? A. Adult males B. Teenagers C. Adult females D. Elderly
D. Elderly ***Geriatric patients are less able to combat infection and are more apt to have underlying diseases that complicate the initial injury as well as compensatory and recovery mechanisms. Pre-existing cardiovascular, pulmonary, endocrine, or neurological disease may turn a minor or moderate burn into a critical condition in an elderly patient because of the older body's inability to adequately respond to the stress of the burn.
Which type of burn destroys nerve cells? A. Partial-thickness B. Superficial C. Second-degree D. Full-thickness
D. Full-thickness ***Full-thickness burns are not very painful because nerve endings have been destroyed. However, in most such injuries, there will be surrounding areas of partial-thickness and/or superficial burns that may cause intense pain
What part of the body often receives the highest heat generated from electrical burns? A. Mucous membranes B. Nerve tissue C. Underlying musculature D. Skin
D. Skin ****Electrical energy will always seek to flow to ground. As the energy enters the body, it will seek the path of least resistance to exit the body. The highest heat occurs at the points of greatest resistance, often at the skin. Because of its nonconductive nature, skin is highly resistant to electrical flow.
Which consideration could be a concern to your safety when doing a standby at a motor vehicle accident in which a tractor-trailer carrying fuel has overturned and the fire department is still extricating the driver? A. One of the rescuers may be injured if they are using power tools. B. The patient may arrest before extrication. C. Police on scene have closed down the freeway, causing you to be trapped. D. The tanker may explode, causing burn injuries.
D. The tanker may explode, causing burn injuries.
Singed nasal hairs in a burned patient are an ominous sign because: A. they make it difficult to administer oxygen. B. they are very painful. C. the smell can be overpowering. D. they indicate a strong possibility of airway damage.
D. They indicate a strong possibility of airway damage. ***Singed nasal hairs indicate that the patient has inhaled superheated air or even flame from a flash exposure. In either instance, airway swelling could be occurring and the patient's airway is in jeopardy. Signs and symptoms of inhalation injury include stridor or crowing from the upper airway; obvious burns to the body and clothing; burns to the neck and face; singed hair, particularly nasal hair, eyebrows, and other facial hair; and carbonaceous (black) sputum
A group of teenagers were lighting fireworks and one teen suffered multiple injuries as a result. His injuries include burns to the face, eyes, neck, hands, and arms. Three fingers are missing from his left hand. He is crying out and states that he cannot see and that he is in a lot of pain. He denies difficulty breathing. The NEXT action you should take is to: A. cool the burns with water. B. administer high-flow oxygen. C. cover both his eyes with a bandage. D. listen to his lung sounds with a stethoscope.
D. listen to his lung sounds with a stethoscope. ***Do not skip any steps of the primary assessment. Evaluate the patient's airway, breathing, oxygenation, and circulation. Look for any indications that the airway may be injured or compromised. Parts of the body that are especially vulnerable to blast injuries are the lungs, ears, abdomen, and brain. Injuries to the lungs are the most common cause of death in burn patients.
A standardized way to quickly determine the amount of skin surface that is burned is called the: A. rule of eighteens. B. Parkinson formula. C. Parkland formula. D. rule of nines.
D. rule of nines ***The rule of nines is a standardized way to quickly determine the amount of skin surface, or the body surface area (BSA) percentage, of a burn. Only to partial-thickness or full-thickness burns, not applied to superficial burns.