Burns
Mon, 06/19/2017 - 12:05am
- Burns are categorized by their size and depth
- Superficial: dry and red; blanches with pressure
- Superficial partial-thickness: blister and cause pain; exposed dermis is red and moist with intact capillary refill
- Deep partial-thickness: white to yellow in color; two-point discrimination is diminshed; capillary refill and pain sensation are absent
- Full-thickness: charred, pale, leathery and painless; do not heal spontaneously; surgical repair and skin grafting is needed
- Burn size is calculated as the percentage of total BSA involved
- Use the Rule of Nines to estimate perscentage of burn for adults
- Use the Lund and Browder diagram to estimate percetage of pediatric burn
- For smaller burns, the patient's palm (do not inlcude fingers or wrist) can be used as a "ruler" and represents approximately 1% of the patient's BSA
