Adult Nursing II: The Integumentary System - Disorders and Diseases (Burns)

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomy, physiology, classification, etiology, and management of burns based on the integumentary system lecture notes.

Epidermis

The non-vascular outermost layer of the skin.

Dermis

The largest portion of the skin that provides strength and structure, consisting of glands (sebaceous and sweat), hair follicles, blood vessels, and nerve endings.

Subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis)

The innermost layer of the skin containing major vascular networks, fat, nerves, and lymphatics.

Skin Temperature Tolerance

Human skin can tolerate temperatures up to $42 - 44^{\circ}\text{C}$ ($107 - 111^{\circ}\text{F}$); above these levels, higher temperatures lead to more severe tissue destruction.

Critical Temperature for Protein Damage

At temperatures greater than $45^{\circ}\text{C}$ ($113^{\circ}\text{F}$), protein damage exceeds the cell's capacity to repair.

First-degree (superficial) burns

Burns affecting only the epidermis, characterized by redness, pain, dryness, and no blisters; mild sunburn is a common example.

Second-degree (partial thickness) burns

Burns involving the epidermis and part of the dermis, appearing red, blistered, swollen, and painful.

Third-degree (full thickness) burns

Burns that destroy the epidermis and dermis and may extend into the subcutaneous tissue, appearing white, blackened, or charred.

Fourth-degree burns

Burns extending through both layers of skin into underlying tissue, muscle, and bone; these are typically painless as nerve endings are destroyed.

Thermal burns

Burns caused by external heat sources such as hot metals, scalding liquids, steam, and flames.

Radiation burns

Burns resulting from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays or other sources like therapeutic cancer treatments or nuclear leaks.

Chemical burns

Burns caused by strong acids, alkalis, detergents, or solvents contacting the skin or eyes.

Electrical burns

Burns resulting from electrical current, either alternating current or direct current.

Friction burns

Burns resulting from heat generated by friction and direct damage to cells, such as rope burns or treadmill injuries.

Coagulation necrosis

The process caused by heat in skin and subcutaneous tissue that initiates the burn pathophysiology.

AMPLE history

A diagnostic protocol for burn patients consisting of: Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last meal, and Events/environment of injury.

Wallace's Rule of Nine

A method used to calculate the Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) of burns in adults and children.

Palm method

An estimation technique where the size of the patient’s palm is considered approximately $1\%$ of the Total Body Surface Area (TBSA).

Parkland formula

A fluid resuscitation guide used to calculate fluid requirements in the first 24 hours: $4\,\text{ml/kg/\% TBSA}$.

Ringer's Lactate (RL)

The fluid of choice for resuscitation in burn patients.

Urine Output Goal

A monitoring parameter for burn management aiming for $0.5 - 1\,\text{ml/kg/hr}$.

Morphine

The drug of choice for pain relief in burn patients, unless the patient has respiratory burns.

Burn Shock

An early complication of severe burn injuries.

Keloids

A late complication of burns characterized by overgrown scar tissue.