Burns

An injury to the skin caused by: Dry heat, moist heat (Scald), Electricity, Radiation, Chemicals

The Rule of Nines

-Head & Neck= 9%, -Anterior Trunk=18%, -Posterior Trunk= 18%, -Each Arm= 9% (18%), Each Leg= 18% (36%), -Genitalia & Perineum = 1%

How do we calculate the percentage of burns?

By using The Rule of Nines

Measurement of burn depth

-Superficial, Partial Thickness, Full thickness,

Silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene, Flamazine)

Interferes with DNA synthesis by binding to bacterial cell membrane

Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon)

Bacteriostatic agent; effective against both gram- positive & gram-negative organisms

Silver Nitrate

Antimicrobial action

Chlorhexidine Gluconate

Antimicrobial

Collagenase (Santyl) w/ polymyxin B (Polysporin) powder

Digests collagen in necrotic tissue; powder prevents infection

Polymyxin B/bacitracin

Wide- spectrum antibiotic action

A large burn that results in the inflammatory response in a massive shift of water, electrolytes, & protein into the tissue cause?

Severe Edema

Superficial burn

Only affect the surface of the skin (Epidermis)Skin will be red & painful, not blistered. * Ex: Mild Sunburn

partial thickness

(Second degree) A skin injury commonly caused by exposure to heat for a limited time. Are grouped based on how deep the tissue is burned.

Full Thickness

(3rd degree) Commonly caused by exposure to a very high temperature for a long time

Assessment of the burn patient

ABC's, Is there redness of face or neck, Is there sputum sooty, There could be pulmonary involvement. They might have inhaled smoke

Blood work that might be ordered

CBC, BUN, ABG's, UA, Total protein/albumin (gives info about nutritional status & body's ability to maintain circulatory fluid)

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