60 Questions
What factors does the damage from burns depend on?
Intensity of heat, duration of contact, thickness of skin
What are the classifications of burns based on the cause?
Thermal, chemical, electrical
What causes chemical burns?
Contact with a wide range of chemicals including acids, alkalis, and organic compounds
What determines the injury from electrical burns?
Type of current, voltage, area exposed, duration of contact
How are thermal burns evaluated?
First-degree (superficial), second-degree (partial-thickness), third-degree (full thickness)
What causes first-degree burns?
Minor sunburn
What is a characteristic of second-degree burns?
Blisters and severe pain
What distinguishes third-degree burns from first and second-degree burns?
Full thickness of skin damage
What is the main factor that causes skin death and injury from burns?
Heat exceeding the body’s ability to disperse it
What are the common causes of thermal burns?
Flames, hot objects, flammable vapor, steam, hot liquids
What are the characteristics of first-degree burns?
Redness, mild swelling, tenderness, and pain
What is the recommended treatment for small second-degree burns?
Antibacterial ointment and a sterile dressing
What should be done for chemical burns caused by acid or alkali substances?
Brush off dry chemicals, flush with water for at least 20 minutes, and seek medical assistance
What are the characteristics of third-degree burns?
Dry, leathery, gray-colored, or charred skin
What is the most severe type of burn?
Third-degree burns
What should be considered when determining burn severity?
Respiratory involvement, preexisting medical problems, and age
What can superheated air absorbed by the upper respiratory tract lead to?
Swelling and airway restriction
What is the recommended treatment for large second-degree burns?
Cold application, monitoring for hypothermia, and immediate medical attention
What is the recommended action for electrical burns caused by contact with outdoor power lines?
Check breathing and potentially start CPR
What should be done when later caring for thermal burns?
Changing dressings daily, watching for signs of infection, and following a physician's recommendations
What should be done when the area becomes safe and the electrocuted person has been rescued?
Unplug the appliance and do not touch it or the person until the current is off
What should be covered with sterile dressings in the case of burn wounds?
All burn wounds
What should be checked and treated when dealing with electrical burns?
Breathing, broken bones, and shock
What may be deceiving in the external signs of an electrical burn?
The entrance wound
What should be turned off in the case of electrical burns?
Electricity
What should be done after covering the burn wounds with sterile dressings?
Contact emergency services
What should be avoided until the current is off in the case of an electrocuted person?
Touching the appliance or person
What should be checked for when dealing with electrical burns?
Broken bones
What should be treated in the case of an electrocuted person?
For shock
What should be done when the electrocuted person has been rescued?
Unplug appliance and do not touch appliance or person until current is off
What are the factors that determine the damage from a burn?
Intensity of heat, duration of contact, thickness of skin
Which type of burn can be caused by contact with electric current?
Electrical burns
What are the causes of thermal burns?
Flames, hot objects, flammable vapor, steam, hot liquids
What determines the injury from electrical burns?
Type of current, voltage, area exposed, duration of contact
How are first-degree burns characterized?
Superficial
Which category of burns is caused by a wide range of chemicals such as acids and alkalis?
Chemical burns
What determines the damage from a burn?
Intensity of heat, duration of contact, thickness of skin
Which type of burn can be caused by flames, hot objects, and hot liquids?
Thermal burns
What determines the injury from chemical burns?
Type of chemical, concentration, duration of exposure
How are second-degree burns characterized?
Partial-thickness
What should be done when the area becomes safe and the electrocuted person has been rescued?
Unplug appliance and do not touch appliance or person until current is off
What are the external signs of an electrical burn described as?
The entrance wound may be a small burn, while the damage to deeper tissue may be massive
What is recommended to be done when someone experiences an electrical burn?
Cover all burn wounds with sterile dressings
What should be checked and treated when someone experiences an electrical burn?
Breathing and shock
What is the recommended action in the event of an electrical burn?
Turning off electricity
What is the potential appearance of an entrance wound in an electrical burn?
A small burn
What should be avoided until the current is off after an electrical burn?
Touching the appliance or person
What should be done to prevent further harm after an electrical burn?
Covering the wounds with sterile dressings
What is the potential damage in an electrical burn?
Damage occurs under skin
What should be done after an electrical burn to the person?
Cover wounds with sterile dressings
What are the characteristics of first-degree burns?
Redness, mild swelling, tenderness, and pain
What is the recommended treatment for small second-degree burns?
Antibacterial ointment and a sterile dressing
What should be done for chemical burns caused by acid or alkali substances?
Brush off dry chemicals, flush with water for at least 20 minutes, and seek medical assistance
What are the characteristics of third-degree burns?
Dry, leathery, gray-colored, or charred skin
What is the significance of burns on the face, hands, feet, and genitals?
They are the most severe
What should be considered when determining burn severity?
Respiratory involvement, preexisting medical problems, and age
What is the recommended treatment for large second-degree burns?
Cold application and monitoring for hypothermia
What can be absorbed by the upper respiratory tract, leading to swelling and airway restriction?
Superheated air
What are the characteristics of electrical burns?
They can be arc burns, true electrical injuries, or thermal burns
What is the recommended later care for thermal burns?
Changing dressings daily, watching for signs of infection, and following a physician's recommendations
Study Notes
Evaluating and Treating Thermal Burns
- The depth of a burn and the total body surface area (TBSA) it covers should be evaluated using the rule of nines and the rule of the hand.
- Burns on the face, hands, feet, and genitals are the most severe, and circumferential burns are more severe than noncircumferential burns.
- Superheated air can be absorbed by the upper respiratory tract, leading to swelling and airway restriction.
- Consider respiratory involvement, preexisting medical problems, and age when determining burn severity.
- First-degree burns exhibit redness, mild swelling, tenderness, and pain, and can be treated with cold water, ibuprofen, and elevation.
- Small second-degree burns involve blisters, swelling, weeping of fluids, and severe pain, and should be treated with antibacterial ointment and a sterile dressing.
- Large second-degree burns require cold application, monitoring for hypothermia, and immediate medical attention.
- Third-degree burns feature dry, leathery, gray-colored, or charred skin and require covering with a sterile dressing and emergency medical care.
- Later care for thermal burns includes changing dressings daily, watching for signs of infection, and following a physician's recommendations.
- Chemical burns caused by acid or alkali substances result in pain, burning, breathing difficulty, and eye pain or vision change.
- For chemical burns, brush off dry chemicals, flush with water for at least 20 minutes, and seek medical assistance.
- Electrical burns can be arc burns, true electrical injuries, or thermal burns, and contact with outdoor power lines requires checking breathing and potentially starting CPR.
Test your knowledge of evaluating and treating thermal burns with this quiz. Learn about the severity of burns, treatment options, and considerations for different types of burns, including thermal, chemical, and electrical burns.
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