Burn and Thermal Trauma Flashcards
7 cards from real TNCC 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 and Thermal Trauma flashcards as text
Electrical burns are often more severe than they appear externally because:
Answer: Current travels through the body causing extensive internal tissue destruction along its path
Electrical burns cause extensive internal tissue destruction along the current path through the body, while external entry and exit wounds may appear deceptively small.
Which finding is most directly indicative of inhalation injury in a burn patient?
Answer: Carbonaceous (soot-tinged) sputum
Carbonaceous sputum containing sooty particles is direct evidence that combustion byproducts were inhaled into the airway, confirming inhalation injury.
When monitoring fluid resuscitation in a burn patient, which parameter best indicates adequate tissue perfusion?
Answer: Urine output of 0.5–1 mL/kg/hour
Urine output of 0.5–1 mL/kg/hour reflects adequate renal perfusion and is the primary endpoint for titrating fluid resuscitation in burn patients.
What is the preferred route for opioid analgesic administration during the acute phase of major burn injury?
Answer: Intravenous administration
IV administration is essential in burn patients because impaired peripheral circulation makes subcutaneous and intramuscular routes unreliable for medication absorption.
According to American Burn Association guidelines, which patient should be referred to a burn center?
Answer: Patient with partial-thickness burns greater than 10% TBSA
The American Burn Association criteria for burn center referral include partial-thickness burns exceeding 10% TBSA due to the complexity of care required.
Why must a patient with a high-voltage electrical injury be placed on continuous cardiac monitoring immediately?
Answer: Current traversing the heart can precipitate ventricular fibrillation and life-threatening dysrhythmias
Electrical current passing through the heart can depolarize myocardial tissue and trigger ventricular fibrillation or other fatal dysrhythmias at the time of injury.
Why is hypothermia a major risk in patients with major burn injuries?
Answer: Loss of the skin barrier causes massive evaporative heat loss and eliminates thermoregulatory function
Burned skin loses its thermoregulatory function, resulting in massive evaporative heat loss from the wound surface and an inability to maintain body temperature.