Dr. Butts walked our class through the Burn Unit and their precautions. We were taught initial burn care with steps such as: ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation), resuscitation, and more. Resuscitation depends on the depth of the burn and size of the burn (inhalation injuries also count with chemicals causing irritation of airway and increasing inflammation response). Determining the size estimation can include calculating Total Body Surface Area (% total body surface area) and with the Rule of Palms. This rule uses the patients palms for estimation (Pediatric is 1% for entire Palmar Surface and Adult is 0.8% for entire Palmar Surface). Our class had the opportunity to assess a current patient in the Burn Unit and determine he had 53% of burns to the body. to House Fire chemicals, which we consider with this case, can include damage from carbon monoxide w/ incomplete combustion, etc. Another thing to consider is Burn-Induced Compartment syndrome, which is tissue swelling (compressing blood vessels). The next step could be an escharotomy (eschar: dead &. -otomy: incision). Debriding is removing the damaged tissue which is questioned on which patient needs it or not. Enzymatic Debridement has FDA trials enrolling patients using Bromelain (or Pineapple Extract) to prevent Compartment Syndrome. The nurses use Baux scores to determine mortality rate of the patient with age added to the TBSA. Reconstruction follows in the future with Primary healing and Skin Grafting. Overall burns are a terrible position for individuals but medical staff must focus on healing!
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