Burns and Their Effects

Study Notes

Burn Causes

Burns can result from heat, electricity, radiation, specific chemicals, and friction.

Physical Impairments Caused by Burns

Pain is a primary symptom.
Loss of range of motion (ROM) may occur.
Patients may experience immobility and edema.
Stiffness often develops, along with decreased activity tolerance.
Fatigue and weakness can result from the injury.
Burns affect appearance and skin function significantly.

Psychosocial Impact of Burns

Common psychological effects include anxiety and depression.
Regret and fear, including symptoms of PTSD, are prevalent.
Burn victims often struggle with poor self-esteem.

Scar Maturation

Complete healing of scars progresses through several phases, taking over 2 years to fully mature.

Skin Overview

Skin is the largest organ of the human body.
Functions of the skin include protection, secretion, excretion, temperature regulation, sensation, and vitamin D production.

Skin Layers

Epidermis: Outer skin layer providing pigment and protection.
Dermis: Middle layer containing hair, sweat glands, nerve endings, and blood capillaries.
Hypodermis: Below the dermis, it serves as fat storage, cushioning, regulates body temperature, and connects to muscle tissue.

Burn Types and Classifications

Burns can be classified as thermal, chemical, electrical, or radiation.
Burns are further classified as:
- Superficial (1st degree): Affects only the epidermis.
- Partial thickness: Affects epidermis and dermis, categorized into superficial or deep.
- Full thickness (3rd degree): Involves all skin layers.

Superficial Burn (1st Degree)

Characterized by pain and redness, lacks blisters, and heals within 3-5 days without scarring.
Treatment includes first aid, cool water, ointment, and bandaging.

Superficial Partial Thickness Burn

Affects epidermis and upper dermis; painful with blisters and bright red, moist appearance.
Heals with minimal scarring within 5-21 days.

Deep Partial Thickness Burn

Extends deeper into the dermis, appearing pale red and dry with less pain.
Healing takes 21+ days, often requires skin grafting, and poses risks for hypertrophic scarring and contracture.

Full-Thickness Burn (3rd Degree)

Involves all layers, presenting with no pain and leathery texture.
Requires surgical intervention and has a high risk of hypertrophic scarring and contracture.

Rule of Nines

A method to estimate burn size based on total body surface area (TBSA):
- Head and neck = 9%
- Each upper extremity = 9%
- Each lower extremity = 9%
- Front trunk = 18%
- Back trunk = 18%

Medical Management Considerations for Burns

Factors affecting treatment include patient age (elasticity) and premorbid health.
Burns greater than 10% TBSA have a risk of burn shock.

Burn Edema

Injury to vascularity leads to increased permeability, resulting in massive edema; reabsorption generally begins 48 hours post-burn.

Burn Shock

Characterized by fluid shifts of plasma, electrolytes, and proteins into burn wounds, impairing circulatory system function.

Increased Metabolic Rate Post-Burn

Skin’s inability to regulate temperature can lead to shivering and a subsequently increased metabolic rate.

Infection Causes and Complications

Internal sources include body flora and gastrointestinal sources, while external sources can stem from improper hygiene.
Complications may delay healing, cause scar tissue, or progress to systemic infections like sepsis.

Sepsis Symptoms

Indicated by tachypnea, hypotension, oliguria, and hyperglycemia.

Stages of Wound Healing

Healing progresses through four stages: hemostasis, inflammation, replication/proliferation, and synthesis/remodeling.

Factors Influencing Burn Healing

Age, nutritional status, presence of infection, comorbidities, and medications all play critical roles.

Types of Skin Grafts

Xenograft: Temporary graft from another species (commonly pig) until an autograft is available.
Homograft/Allograft: Temporary graft from cadaver skin for larger wounds until reduced for autografting.
Autograft: Healthy tissue transplanted from one area of an individual to another.
Split Thickness Sheet Graft (STSG): Most common method, including the entire epidermis and part of the dermis.
Full Thickness Sheet Graft (FTSG): Used for small area reconstruction that includes the entire epidermis and dermis.

Goals of Burn Intervention

Aim to minimize scarring and contractures while providing education and training to prevent deformities.

Description

This quiz explores the causes of burns, their physical impairments, and the psychosocial impacts they can have on individuals. It also includes information about the maturation of scars and the functions of the skin as the body's largest organ. Test your understanding of burn-related concepts and the implications for recovery.

Burns and Their Effects

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary physical impairment caused by burns?

Which layer of the skin is primarily affected in a superficial burn?

What type of burn typically heals within 3-5 days without scarring?

What is the psychosocial impact commonly associated with burns?

Which of the following is NOT a function of the skin?

How long can scar maturation take to complete?

Which classification of burns involves damage to the entire epidermis and dermis and does not result in pain?

What is a common complication of burns related to healing that can increase the risk of systemic infection?

Which condition results from massive fluid shifts into the burn wound and causes circulatory inadequacy?

Which type of skin graft is often used temporarily from another species until an autograft is ready?

What percentage of total body surface area (TBSA) is allocated to the back trunk in the Rule of 9's for burn assessment?

What are the primary goals of burn intervention strategies?

During which stage of wound healing does the body experience hemostasis, followed by inflammation?

What factor directly affects burn healing, particularly in older patients?