Burn Resuscitation and Ongoing Nursing Care

A set of 15 vocabulary flashcards covering the key principles of burn resuscitation, fluid formulas, physiological risks, surgical interventions, and ongoing nursing care.

First Priority in a Major Burn

The immediate clinical focus to assess airway and breathing, especially for inhalation injury or rapidly developing airway edema.

Airway Edema

Swelling following an inhalation injury that can progress rapidly and make later intubation difficult, often necessitating early intubation.

Capillary Leak and Evaporative Loss

Pathophysiologic fluid shifts in major burns that reduce effective circulating volume, risking shock and kidney injury, and requiring IV fluids.

Parkland Formula

An initial crystalloid resuscitation estimate calculated as $4\,\text{mL} \times \text{body weight (kg)} \times \%\text{TBSA}$ over the first $24$ hours, subject to local protocol and reassessment.

Classic Parkland Volume Distribution

The administration schedule delivering half of the calculated fluid during the first $8$ hours from the time of burn and the remainder over the next $16$ hours.

Burn Fluid Titration Principle

The clinical standard treating fluid formulas as starting estimates rather than fixed goals, requiring titration to clinical perfusion and urine output.

Urine Output (in Burn Resuscitation)

A primary clinical indicator monitored to assess renal perfusion and the adequacy of resuscitation.

Hyperkalemia (Early Burn Phase)

An early electrolyte imbalance resulting from cell injury; potassium levels may later fall during treatment.

Acute Kidney Injury in Deep Burns

Renal impairment caused by hypoperfusion and pigment injury from myoglobin released during rhabdomyolysis.

Circumferential Eschar

A full-thickness encasing burn wound that poses a danger of restricting chest expansion or compromising distal perfusion as swelling develops.

Escharotomy

A surgical procedure performed to release constricting full-thickness burn eschar when ventilation or perfusion is threatened.

Infection Precautions

Essential preventive care measures implemented because the loss of the protective skin barrier increases infection risk.

Hypermetabolism

A sustained high metabolic rate following severe burns that increases calorie and protein requirements for healing, making nutrition a priority.

Long-Term Burn Complications

Chronic physical and psychological consequences following major burns, including scarring, contractures, pain, psychosocial distress, and functional limitations.

Analgesia

An essential component of ongoing burn care requiring frequent reassessment because burn wounds and dressing changes can be severely painful.