Types of burns
Thermal contact, steam and fire
Name 3 signs and symptoms of a superficial burn.
Red
Appear dry
Blanch when pressed upon
Blister mildly (if at all)
Pain
Mild edema
The G is GCS stands for...
Glasgow
MARCH and DCAP BTLS are used in _____ assessment instead of SAMPLE and OPQRST.
Trauma
What is one key thing to REMOVE from a burn patient?
Clothes and jewelry
What are the three classifications of burns?
Superficial (1st degree), partial thickness (2nd degree) and full thickness (3rd degree)
Name 3 signs and symptoms of a partial thickness burn.
Tend to be red or yellowish
Appear WET
Usually blister (right away or within 24 hr.)
Blanch if superficial (due to adequate blood flow)
No blanching if deep (poor blood flow – usually below hair follicle)
Painful
Edema
Weeping
What are the 3 categories in the GCS?
Eyes, verbal and motor
The A in MARCH stands for...
Airway
We always give O2... what modification should we make to O2 given to burn victims?
Humidify the air if possible
Describe the rule of 9's
Name 3 signs and symptoms of a full thickness burn.
Appear very DRY
May be white, yellow, gray or black
Does not blanch
Are ‘leathery’ to the touch.
Usually are not heavily blistered
No pain at the epicenter of the burn
Tissue may slough
What is the lowest possible GCS and what is the highest possible GCS?
The M and R in MARCH stands for...
Massive hemorrhage and respirations
Burn victims are at massive risk of developing ____ due to the loss of skin and must be kept ______.
Hypothermia and hot (not warm)
1st and 2nd degree burns can _____ but 3rd degree burns cannot.
Blanch.
An inhalation burn is a special kind of burn. What is a common symptom that is typically unique to inhalation burns vs surface burns?
Burning of the airway/inside of the mouth
What is the "lethal diamond"?
HINT: 3 hypos and 1 more!
Hypokalemia, Hypocalcemia, Hypothermia and Coagulopathy
The C in MARCH stands for ____ and the main concern regarding this is _______.
Circulation and shock
What is the most IMPORTANT treatment in a burn victim?
Oxygen, O2 at 100% on a non-rebreather
Inhalation burns are so dangerous since they have the chance to lead to....
ARDS (Acute respiratory distress syndrome)
Is a DC (direct current) or AC (alternating current) less dangerous and why?
DC because it causes a single, intense event with a lowered chance to go into vfib
A patient presents with eyes that are initially open, is making a ton of weird noises and grunts and is decerebrate in posturing. What is their GCS score?
Eyes (4) + Verbal (2) + Motor (2)= 8
The H in MARCH stands for either....
Head injury OR hypothermia
Why might it be a bad idea to rinse a chemical dust with water? Isn't water the best thing for a potential burn?
Chemicals can react VERY violently with water, so never use water if you don't know what it is