CBM Special Populations in Burn Care 2

Question 1

Which factor most contributes to the significantly higher burn mortality seen in elderly patients compared to younger adults with similar burn size?

Accepted Answer

Impaired immune response and reduced physiologic reserve

Answer

Elderly patients have diminished immune function, reduced cardiorespiratory reserve, and impaired healing capacity, all of which combine to dramatically increase burn mortality risk.

Question 2

Circumferential burns on an extremity requiring escharotomy are treated this way because:

Accepted Answer

Rigid eschar restricts tissue expansion, causing compartment syndrome

Answer

Escharotomy (incision through burned eschar) is performed to relieve compartment pressure caused by the inability of rigid burned tissue to expand as underlying edema develops.

Question 3

Hydrofluoric acid burns cause systemic toxicity primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Chelating calcium ions and causing severe systemic hypocalcemia

Answer

Fluoride ions from hydrofluoric acid penetrate tissue and bind calcium, causing systemic hypocalcemia that can produce fatal cardiac arrhythmias even from small surface area exposures.

Question 4

The Revised Baux Score (age + %TBSA + 17 if inhalation injury present) is used primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Estimate probability of mortality in burn patients

Answer

The Revised Baux Score is a validated mortality prediction tool; scores above 140 are associated with near-certain mortality and it guides goals-of-care discussions in burn patients.

Question 5

Chemical burns should be initially decontaminated by:

Accepted Answer

Irrigating with copious running water for at least 20-30 minutes

Answer

Copious water irrigation for 20-30 minutes dilutes and removes the chemical agent; neutralizing agents are avoided because the exothermic neutralization reaction can worsen tissue damage.

(CBM) Certified Burn Manager Practice Test

(CBM) Certified Burn Manager Practice Test

CBM Special Populations in Burn Care 2