Chapter 54 Burn injuries

Skin is a

High resistance tissue

Burn shock is direct result of

Increased capillary permeability with leakage of fluids throughout all tissues; the result is massive edema

The first priority when rescuing a burned individual is

Eliminating the source of the burn

The rehabilitation phase begins when the burn size is reduced to less than 20%

And the patient is able to assume self care

The majority of electrical burns in children are caused by

Biting on extension cords

The goal of nutritional support of burned individual is to

Create a positive nitrogen balance

The third element essential to survival after major burn injury is

Excision of the burn followed by skin grafting

The time between the end of burn shock and closure of burn to less than 20% of total body surface area

Is called the emergent phase

Management of burns associated with automobile airbag injury

Is irrigation with copious amts of water

The primary aim in burn wound management

Is to prevent microbial colonization of the wound

The immediate management of a thermal burn victim once the fire has been extinguished is to

Monitor fo s/s of respiratory impairment

Electrical injury may cause extensive damage to low resistance tissues, particularly

Nerves and blood vessels

It is true that covering a burn with cool wet sheets

Promotes hypothermia

It is true that second degree superficial partial thickness burns

Usually heal in 7 to 21 days More painful than 3rd degree burns Involve damage to the dermis Can be associated with scar formation