Course Library

Introduction to Burns

Information Covered:

1. Burns
   1. Electrical
      1. Pathophysiology
      2. Special assessment finding
         1. Review previous knowledge
         2. Cardiac arrest
         3. Neuromuscular injuries
            1. peripheral nerve deficit
            2. muscle coordination and strength
         4. Spinal cord involvement/injury
      3. Special management considerations
         1. SCENE SAFETY
         2. Cardiac arrest management
         3. Cervical spine protection
         4. IV fluids if hypotension is present
         5. Transport to appropriate facility
   2. Chemical
      1. Pathophysiology
         1. Many sources may cause burn
         2. Alkali exposure
         3. Acids
            1. cause coagulation necrosis and immediate pain
            2. frequently doesn’t injure deeper tissues
            3. amount of damage depends on concentration of agent, quality of the agent, length of exposure, depth of penetration.
         4. Organic compounds
      2. Special assessment finding
         1. Skin damage will depend on agent, length of exposure, BSB
         2. Know the agent
         3. Read the label
         4. Seek consultation with poison center
      3. Special management considerations
         1. Use protective clothing/equipment when necessary
         2. Flush with copious amounts of water
         3. Alkalis may require several hours of irrigation
         4. Do not use neutralizing agents
   3. Thermal
      1. Pathophysiology
         1. Heat absorbed exceeds capacity to dissipate it
         2. Depth will depend on time of contact and source
         3. Age variances with burns
         4. Severity depends on
            1. burn agent
            2. burn circumstances
            3. location of the burn on the body
            4. age of the patient
            5. concomitant injuries
            6. preexisting injuries
         5. Epidermis injured
         6. Epidermis and varying layers of dermis
         7. Burn extends into subcutaneous tissue possibly including bone and muscle tissue
         8. Burns and burn effect on other body systems
      2. Special assessment finding
         1. Superficial partial thickness burn
         2. Moderate-deep partial thickness
         3. Full thickness
         4. Review percent of body surface burn estimation methods for adults, children and infants
         5. Lund and Browder chart and BSB
         6. Classification Systems
      3. Special management considerations
2. High-pressure injection wounds
   1. Pathophysiology
   2. Special assessment finding
      1. Special management considerations

Content Creator: Dan Livengood
CAPCE Course Number: 20-EMTP-F3-2201
Total CE Hours: 1.5
Level: Advanced
EMT-CE uses the NEMSES guidelines as the foundation for every course outline.