Skin Layers and Burns Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is a key characteristic of a full-thickness burn?

  • It leads to increased sensation in the affected area.
  • It involves the epidermis, dermis, hair follicles, and nerve endings. (correct)
  • It affects only the epidermis.
  • It results in minimal scar potential.

What is the typical healing time for a deep (partial-thickness) burn?

  • 1–2 weeks
  • 6–8 weeks
  • 9–12 weeks
  • 3–5 weeks (correct)

Which of the following statements about subdermal burns is correct?

  • They have a low scar potential.
  • They only damage the upper layers of skin.
  • They may involve exposure of underlying fat or muscles. (correct)
  • They require no surgical intervention for healing.

What primary cause is associated with subdermal burns?

<p>Electrical burns (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the sensory effects of full-thickness burns is true?

<p>No sensation is present except at the borders of deep partial-thickness burns. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary composition of the dermis layer of the skin?

<p>Fibrous connective tissue made of collagen and elastin (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which classification system is used to estimate total body surface area burned?

<p>Rule of Nines (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a superficial burn?

<p>Minimal erythema and dry appearance (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the healing time for a superficial partial-thickness burn?

<p>1-3 weeks (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common cause of deep partial-thickness burns?

<p>Prolonged contact with hot metal objects (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Lund-Browder chart improve on the Rule of Nines for estimating burn area?

<p>It assigns percentages adjusted by age groups (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of burn involves blisters and significant pain?

<p>Superficial partial-thickness burn (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the scar potential for superficial burns?

<p>No potential for hypertrophic scars or contractures (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Full-thickness burn

A burn that affects the epidermis and dermis, along with hair follicles, sweat glands, and nerve endings. These burns cause deep pain and are non-blanching.

Subdermal burn

A burn that extends beyond the dermis to deeper layers of the skin, such as fat, muscles, and bones. These burns are characterized by charring and exposed tendons or muscle.

Appearance of full-thickness burn

Full-thickness burns are characterized by a pale, non-blanching appearance. This means that the burn area doesn't turn white when pressure is applied.

Nerve damage in subdermal burns

Subdermal burns can often involve significant nerve damage. This can lead to loss of sensation, weakness, and difficulty moving the affected area.

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Treatment of full-thickness burns

Full-thickness burns require surgical intervention for wound closure. This often involves skin grafting to replace the damaged tissue.

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Epidermis

The outermost layer of skin, composed of epithelial tissue with four or five layers depending on location and skin type.

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Dermis

The inner layer of skin, made of fibrous connective tissue containing collagen & elastin, providing strength & elasticity.

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Burn

A thermal injury that damages layers of the skin.

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Rule of Nines

A method of estimating burn size; categorizes the body into areas representing 9% or multiples of 9% of the total body surface area.

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Lund-Browder Chart

A more accurate technique for calculating burn size; assigns specific percentages to different body parts, considering patient age for greater precision.

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Superficial Burn

A type of burn affecting only the superficial epidermis; characterized by mild pain, dry skin, and minimal redness; heals within 3-7 days.

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Superficial Partial-Thickness Burn

A type of burn involving the epidermis and upper dermis; characterized by significant pain, blistering, and redness; heals within 1-3 weeks.

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Deep Partial-Thickness Burn

A type of burn affecting the epidermis and deep dermis, including hair follicles and sweat glands; characterized by severe pain, deep redness, and possible blistering; prone to infection; may require grafting.

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Study Notes

Skin Layers and Burns

  • Skin has two main layers: epidermis (outermost) and dermis (inner).
  • Dermis is fibrous connective tissue with collagen and elastin.
  • Epidermis has four to five layers, varying by location and skin type.
  • Burns are thermal injuries damaging skin layers.

Burn Classification: Size

  • Total Body Surface Area (TBSA): Used to estimate burn size.
  • The Rule of Nines divides the body into areas of 9% or multiples of 9%:
    • Head and Neck: 9%
    • Each Upper Extremity: 9%
    • Each Lower Extremity: 18%
    • Front/Back of Trunk: 18% each
    • Perineum: 1%
  • The Lund-Browder chart is a more precise method, considering age variations.

Burn Classification: Depth

  • Burn depth is assessed clinically based on appearance, sensitivity, and pliability.
  • Superficial Burn:
    • Affects only the epidermis.
    • Mild pain, no blisters, dry skin.
    • Heals in 3-7 days.
    • Common cause: sunburn, brief exposure to hot liquids/chemicals.
    • No scarring risk.
  • Superficial Partial-thickness Burn:
    • Damages epidermis and upper dermis.
    • Moderate pain, wet blisters, erythema (redness).
    • Heals in 1-3 weeks.
    • Common causes: severe sunburn, prolonged exposure to hot liquids.
    • Minimal scarring risk.
  • Deep (Partial-thickness) Burn:
    • Damages epidermis and deep dermis layers, including hair follicles and sweat glands.
    • Significant pain, erythema (redness), blisters (maybe).
    • High risk of infection, possible grafting.
    • Potential for impaired sensation.
    • Common causes: flames, prolonged contact with hot objects.
    • High scarring risk.
    • Healing time: 3-5 weeks.
  • Full-thickness Burn:
    • Damages epidermis, dermis, hair follicles, sweat glands, and nerve endings.
    • No pain to light touch (except at deep partial-thickness borders).
    • Pale, nonblanching burn.
    • Requires skin graft.
    • Common causes: extreme heat, prolonged contact with heat, chemicals.
    • Extremely high scarring risk.
  • Subdermal Burn:
    • Full-thickness burn extending to underlying tissues (fat, muscle, bone).
    • Charring, exposed tissue (fat, tendons, muscles).
    • Electrical burns involve nerve destruction.
    • Peripheral nerve damage is common.
    • Requires surgery (wound closure or amputation).
    • Very high scarring risk.
    • Common causes: electrical burns, severe long-duration fires.

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