PCC 4 Exam 3 – Burns Questions and Verified
Answers Detailed Answers Latest Graded A+
what is a burn
Damage to the skin and underlying tissue causing interference
with normal function
what two factors determine the severity of a thermal burn
temperature and duration of the burn
functions of the skin
1. temp regulation
2. fluid loss
3. immune barrier
4. mechanical barrier
5. sensory organ
what layer of skin is affected by superficial burns
epidermis
what layer of skin is affected by partial thickness burns
epidermis and dermis
what layers of the skin are affected by full thickness burns
epidermis, dermis, fat/subq, muscle and bone
what are the 4 main types of burn injuries
1. thermal
2. chemical
3. smoke and inhalation
4. electrical
what are thermal burns caused by
Flame, flash, scald, or contact with hot objects
scald injuries often occur in these household areas
bathrooms and kitchens
chemical burns are the result of contact with
acids, alkalis, and organic compounds
,chemical burns can cause injury to the ________ in addition
to the skin
eyes
which is more difficult to manage and why:
chemical burns caused by acids or chemical burns caused
by alkalis
alkalis because they adhere to tissue causing protein hydrolysis
and melting
where are alkalis found
in cement, oven and drain cleaners, and heavy industrial
cleansers
what are some organic compounds that may cause burns
phenols (chemical disinfectants) and petroleum products
(creosote and gasoline) produce contact burns and systemic
toxicity
what causes smoke and inhalation injuries
inhalation of hot air or noxious chemicals causing damage to the
respiratory tract
what are the 3 types of smoke and inhalation injuries that can
occur
1. upper airway injury
2. lower airway injury
3. metabolic asphyxiation
what is a critical nursing intervention for smoke and
inhalation injuries
rapid initial and ongoing assessment to make sure airway is still
patent - airway compromise and pulmonary edema can develop
within hours of injury
what causes electrical burns
intense heat generated from an electric current
what kind of damage can occur from electrical burns
, direct damage to nerves and vessels, causing tissue anoxia and
death
severity of an electrical burn depends on - 5
1. amount of voltage
2. tissue resistance
3. current pathways
4. surface area in contact with the current
5. length of time that current flow was sustained
what types of tissues create more resistance to electrical
currents
fat and bone
currents passing through these bodily structures causes
more life-threatening sequelae
vital organs (brain, heart, kidneys, etc.)
what type of injury might electric sparks lead to
flash injury - from clothing being ignited
manifestations of burn-related lung injury in upper airway - 7
• Blisters, edema
• Copious secretions
• Difficulty swallowing
• Hoarseness
• Stridor
• Substernal and intercostal retractions
• Total airway obstruction
manifestations of burn-related lung injury in lower airway -
• Altered mental status
• Carbonaceous sputum
• Dyspnea
• Facial burns or singed nasal or facial hair
• Hoarseness
• Wheezing
Answers Detailed Answers Latest Graded A+
what is a burn
Damage to the skin and underlying tissue causing interference
with normal function
what two factors determine the severity of a thermal burn
temperature and duration of the burn
functions of the skin
1. temp regulation
2. fluid loss
3. immune barrier
4. mechanical barrier
5. sensory organ
what layer of skin is affected by superficial burns
epidermis
what layer of skin is affected by partial thickness burns
epidermis and dermis
what layers of the skin are affected by full thickness burns
epidermis, dermis, fat/subq, muscle and bone
what are the 4 main types of burn injuries
1. thermal
2. chemical
3. smoke and inhalation
4. electrical
what are thermal burns caused by
Flame, flash, scald, or contact with hot objects
scald injuries often occur in these household areas
bathrooms and kitchens
chemical burns are the result of contact with
acids, alkalis, and organic compounds
,chemical burns can cause injury to the ________ in addition
to the skin
eyes
which is more difficult to manage and why:
chemical burns caused by acids or chemical burns caused
by alkalis
alkalis because they adhere to tissue causing protein hydrolysis
and melting
where are alkalis found
in cement, oven and drain cleaners, and heavy industrial
cleansers
what are some organic compounds that may cause burns
phenols (chemical disinfectants) and petroleum products
(creosote and gasoline) produce contact burns and systemic
toxicity
what causes smoke and inhalation injuries
inhalation of hot air or noxious chemicals causing damage to the
respiratory tract
what are the 3 types of smoke and inhalation injuries that can
occur
1. upper airway injury
2. lower airway injury
3. metabolic asphyxiation
what is a critical nursing intervention for smoke and
inhalation injuries
rapid initial and ongoing assessment to make sure airway is still
patent - airway compromise and pulmonary edema can develop
within hours of injury
what causes electrical burns
intense heat generated from an electric current
what kind of damage can occur from electrical burns
, direct damage to nerves and vessels, causing tissue anoxia and
death
severity of an electrical burn depends on - 5
1. amount of voltage
2. tissue resistance
3. current pathways
4. surface area in contact with the current
5. length of time that current flow was sustained
what types of tissues create more resistance to electrical
currents
fat and bone
currents passing through these bodily structures causes
more life-threatening sequelae
vital organs (brain, heart, kidneys, etc.)
what type of injury might electric sparks lead to
flash injury - from clothing being ignited
manifestations of burn-related lung injury in upper airway - 7
• Blisters, edema
• Copious secretions
• Difficulty swallowing
• Hoarseness
• Stridor
• Substernal and intercostal retractions
• Total airway obstruction
manifestations of burn-related lung injury in lower airway -
• Altered mental status
• Carbonaceous sputum
• Dyspnea
• Facial burns or singed nasal or facial hair
• Hoarseness
• Wheezing
