Burn Pathophysiology & Wound Care Management Flashcards
7 cards from real CBRN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Burn Pathophysiology & Wound Care Management flashcards as text
Which formula is used to estimate TBSA burned in adults using the palm of the patient's hand?
Answer: The 1% palm method
The patient's palm (including fingers) represents approximately 1% of TBSA and is useful for estimating scattered or irregular burn patterns.
A patient has circumferential full-thickness burns to both lower extremities with absent distal pulses and paresthesias. What intervention is indicated?
Answer: Emergent escharotomy
Circumferential full-thickness burns create constrictive eschar that impairs circulation; escharotomy releases the constriction and restores distal perfusion.
Which nutritional route is preferred for burn patients who have a functioning gastrointestinal tract?
Answer: Early enteral nutrition via nasogastric tube
Early enteral nutrition is preferred as it maintains gut integrity, reduces bacterial translocation, and supports the hypermetabolic response.
Burn patients who receive prolonged silver nitrate 0.5% dressing treatment are at risk for which electrolyte complication?
Answer: Hyponatremia and hypochloremia
Silver nitrate leaches sodium and chloride from the wound, causing hyponatremia and hypochloremia that requires close electrolyte monitoring.
A burn patient is receiving split-thickness skin grafts. Which post-operative assessment finding at the graft site would indicate graft failure?
Answer: Fluid collection (seroma or hematoma) beneath the graft
Seroma or hematoma beneath a graft prevents the graft from adhering to the wound bed, leading to graft failure due to impaired nutrient diffusion.
Which scoring system estimates burn mortality risk by adding the patient's age to the percentage of TBSA burned?
Answer: The Baux score
The Baux score (Age + %TBSA) provides a quick mortality estimate; a score above 140 typically indicates a very high mortality risk.
During the flow phase of the burn stress response, which metabolic change is most characteristic?
Answer: Hyperdynamic circulation with increased metabolic rate
The flow phase begins after 48 hours and is characterized by hyperdynamic circulation, elevated metabolic rate, and significant protein catabolism.