Burns

Define and State the Signs/Symptoms of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Degree Burns

1. Burns are classified according to the degree of depth 2. 1st Degree Burn: A Superficial Burn that only involves the epidermis layers 3. 2nd Degree Burn: A Partial Thickness Burn, involves the epidermis layer and portions of the dermis layer 4. 3rd Degree Burn: A Full Thickness Burn, involves all layers of the skin and can extend beyond the subcutaneous layer to the muscle, bone or organs 5. Signs and Symptoms for 1st Degree -The skin will appear pink or red and will be dry. There may be some swelling but no blisters 6. Signs and Symptoms for 2nd Degree -The skin may appear white to cherry red, moist and mottled. Plasma and tissue fluid collect between the layers of the skin and form blisters 7. Signs and Symptoms for 3rd Degree -The skin will become dry, hard, tough and leathery and may appear white and waxy to dark brown or black and charred. Most full thickness burns are not painful in the immediate area due to the nerve endings in the area being completely destroyed

State the Signs/Symptoms and Treatment of Inhalation Burns

1. Inhalation Burns are always serious 2. Signs and Symptoms -Singed nasal hairs -Facial burns -Specks of carbon in the mouth -Odor of soot or smoke on the patient's breath -Evidence of burns in the patient's mouth -Respiratory distress -Stridor, wheezing -Difficulty of swallowing, hoarseness, coughing and cyanosis 3. Treatment -Maintain patent airway -Burns to the respiratory tract may cause inflammation and swelling, possibly leading to a compromised airway -Administer O2 -These patients are serious. Airway failure may occur very quickly. Always summon EMS and/or transport quickly

Describe the Treatment for Chemical Burns

1. Protect yourself first. Use appropriate PPE -Dry chemicals should be brushed off first then flushed with copious amounts of water -Use caution, some chemicals may react to water and make burns worse (i.e. magnesium)

Describe the Treatment of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Degree Burns

1. Remove the patient from the source of the burning and stop the process 2. Assess ABC's and mental status. Be observant of inhalation injuries 3. Attempt to classify the burned areas and percentage of surface area burned 4. Cover small burns with a moist, sterile cloth. Cover larger areas with dry, sterile dressings 5. Monitor the patient for hypothermia 6. Transport to a burn facility if available

Describe the Rule of Nines and its importance

1. The Rule of Nines is a standardized way to determine the approximate amount of skin surface or body surface area that has been burned 2. For Adults: Each area represents a body surface area of 9% -Head and Neck together -Chest -Abdomen -Upper Back -Lower Back -Anterior of each lower extremity -Posterior of each lower extremity 3. For adults and pediatrics: The Genital Region represents a BSA of 1% 4. For Pediatrics: Each area represents a body surface area of 18% except as noted -Head and Neck together -Anterior Trunk -Posterior Trunk -Upper Extremities 9% each* -Lower Extremities 13.5% each*