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Lesson 10: Burns Emergency Reference Guide p. 43-46. Objectives. Define types of burn injuries Define & demonstrate proper management of superficial, partial thickness & full thickness burns Describe situations that require evacuation Identify ways to prevent burns. Types of Burns.
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Objectives • Define types of burn injuries • Define & demonstrate proper management of superficial, partial thickness & full thickness burns • Describe situations that require evacuation • Identify ways to prevent burns
Types of Burns • Heat: • Fires • Boiling water • Steam • Hot pot • Melting substances, such as plastic • Others?
Types of Burns (cont’d.) • Chemical: • Pesticides • Chemical fuels • Battery acid • Others?
Types of Burns (cont’d.) • Electrical: • Electrical current • Lightning • Radiation: • Sun • Nuclear
Preventing Burns • What steps can be taken to Prevent burns • Heat? • Cook in designated areas & limit access • Position stove so there is easy escape route • Never use open flame in tent • Use caution around campfire
Preventing Burns (cont’d.) • Chemical: • Follow label directions for safe use • Electrical: • Take precautions to avoid lightning • Radiation: • Use sunscreen • Wear UV blocking clothing • Extra precautions needed for high altitude & near water/snow
Checking & Caring for Burns • STOP the Burning! • Remove source of the burning • Cool affected area • Be suspicious of airway complications when: • Burns are to face/neck • Soot is in the mouth/nose • Singed facial hair • Dry cough that accompanies a burn
Stop the Burn • How do you stop the Burning? • Heat: • Remove from heat source • Smother flames • Flush with large amounts of water • Electrical: • Turn off electricity • Flush with large amounts of water
Stop the Burn (cont’d.) • Chemical: • Remove Chemical (brush off, if dry chemical) • Flush with large amounts of water • Radiation: • Get out of direct Sun • Flush with water
Checking Burns • Specific care depends upon the source & depth of the burn • Signs and Symptoms: • Superficial • Skin is red & painful • Possible swelling • Partial Thickness • Skin is red, painful, swollen • Blisters may take an hour to form
Checking Burns (cont’d.) • Full thickness: • Skin is painless (in area of full thickness burn) • Skin is pale and stiff, if caused by scolding • Skin is charred, if caused by fire
Burn Percentage • “Rule of Palmar Surface” or “Rule of 9’s” for estimating coverage of burn • Palm of individuals hand = 1% of body surface • Rule of Nines: • Torso front = 18% • Torso back = 18% • Each arm = 9% • Each leg = 18% • Head = 9%
Caring for Burns • In case of major electrical burn (i.e. lightning) care for cardiac or respiratory problems first • After assessment & removal of burn source: • Expose burn fully (do not remove melted clothing) • Cool or flood with cold water for at least 20 min. • Gently wash burn to remove any dirt • Leave blisters intact • Remove jewelry, if possible • Dress minor burn with thin layer of antibiotic • If not available, leave burn alone
Caring for Burns (cont’d.) • Cover burn with gauze pad or thin roll of gauze • Do not pack burns with ice • Elevate burned extremities to minimize swelling. Swelling slows healing • Encourage patient to gently move burned area • Treat for shock & hypothermia
Caring for Burns (cont’d.) • Manage airway • Re-dress burn twice daily: • Remove by soaking dressing with water, if needed • Re-wash wound to remove old ointment • Apply clean covering • Redressing/examination will likely be painful. If evacuation is imminent, leave burn alone
Guidelines for Evacuation • GO FAST: • Trouble breathing • Partial/full thickness covers 10% or more • Partial/full thickness wraps around a body part • Serious burns to head/face/neck/hands/feet/genitals • Full thickness on > 5% of body • Chemical burns • Partial/full thickness for child/elderly patient • Level of pain good indicator of necessity of evacuation
Scenario • A 16 yr old is sitting at a table with boiling water. Pot spills into her lap. She is screaming in pain. You see a scalding burn that is white & skin is sloughing off. Burns are covering the top of both thighs & her right arm from elbow to wrist. • What do you do?