Volume 4 Chapter 6

• Epidermis-outermost layer
• Dermis- middle layer
• Subcutaneous- fatty layer below

• Thermal
• Electrical
• Chemical
• Radiation

• Protection from infectious agents
• Sensation (pain, temperature, touch)
• Fluid control
• Temperature regulation
• Insulation from trauma
• Flexibility

Alter the usual substance of something

Explanation of the physical effects of burns.

Area in a burn nearest to the heat source which suffers the most damage. Characterized by clotted blood and thrombosed vessels

Area in a burn surrounding the zone of coagulation. Characterized by decreased blood flow

Area peripheral to a burn that is characterized by increased bloodflow

First stage of burn process characterized by catecholamine release and pain-mediated response

Stage of burn process in which there is a massive shift of fluid from the intravascular space to the extravascular space

Volume of fluid contained in the circulatory system

Fluid contained by all cells and interstitial spcae

Stage of burn process in which there is increased body metabolism in an attempt to heal the burned area

Final stage of the burn process in which scar tissue is laid down and the healing process is completed

Difference of electrical potential between two points with different concentrations of electrons

Rate of flow of an electrical charge

Unit for measuring the strength of an electric current

Property of a conductor that opposes the passage of an electrical current

Basic unit for measuring strength of resistance

• Physical law identifying that the current in an electrical circuit is directly proportional to the voltage and inversely proportional to the resistance.
• Voltage=Current (I) x Resistance (R)

• Physical law stating that the rate of heat production is directly proportional to the resistance of the circuit and to the square of the current
• P=Current squared x Resistance X Time

• Acids- usually form a thick, insoluble mass where the contact tissue through coagulation necrosis and limiting burn damage
• Alkali- usually continue to destroy cell membranes through liquefaction necrosis, allowing them to penetrate under-lying tissue and causing deeper burns

Process in which the acid, which destroying tissue, forms an insoluble layer that limits further damage

The process in which alkalis dissolve and liquefy tissue

Process of changing a substance into seperate particles (ions).

• Alpha- minor
• Beta- moderate
• Gamma- severe

Low-level form of nuclear radiation. Weak soruce of energy that is stopped by clothing or the first layers of skin

Medium-Strength radiation that is stopped by light clothing or first layers of skin

Powerful electromagnetic radiation emitted by radioactive substances with powerful penetrating properties.

Powerful radiation with penetrating properties between that of Beta and Gamma

• Duration of exposure
• Distance from the source
• Shielding from the source

Basic unit of absorbed radiation dose

A unit of absorbed radiation equal to 100 rads

Referring to the upper airway

Referring to the lower airway

A burn the involves only the epidermis. Reddening of the skin. AKA 1st degree

Burn in which the epidermis is burned through and the dermis is damaged. Redness and blistering. AKA 2nd degree

Burn that damages all layers of skin. Areas of white/dry skin. AKA 3rd degree

Amount of a patient's body area in a percentage. Usually related to extent of burn injury

Method of estimating amount of body surface burned by a division of the body into regions each worth 9% about

Method of estimating the amount of body surface area burned that sizes the area burned to the patient's palm size

Hard, leathery layer of a deep full thickness burn. Consists of dead and denatured skin

• Fluid resusitation over the next 24 hours
• 4 mL x Kg x BSA burned = fluid over 24 hours

0.25 mL x Kg x BSA Burned = initial bolus

Twitching of the eyelids