Chapter 43: Smoke Inhalation and Thermal Injuries Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes for Chapter 43, covering thermal injuries, smoke inhalation stages, burn classifications, and medical management protocols.

Thermal Injury

Injury caused by the inhalation of hot gases, usually confined to the upper airway structures including the nasal cavity, oral cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.

Early Stage (Smoke Inhalation)

The period from $0$ to $24$ hours after inhalation characterized by inflammation of the tracheobronchial tree, bronchospasm, and potential ARDS (noncardiogenic pulmonary edema).

Intermediate Stage (Smoke Inhalation)

The period from $2$ to $5$ days after inhalation where pathologic changes peak, mucosa necrotizes and sloughs (at $3$ to $4$ days), and mucus plugging leads to atelectasis and possible bacterial colonization.

Late Stage (Smoke Inhalation)

The period occurring $5$ or more days after inhalation where sepsis and multi-organ failure are the primary causes of death; long-term effects may include restrictive and obstructive lung disorders.

First-degree Burn

A superficial burn involving damage limited to the outer layer of the epidermis, characterized by reddened skin and tenderness without blisters, typically healing in $6$ to $10$ days.

Second-degree Burn

A burn extending through the epidermis into the dermis but not interfering with regeneration, typically characterized by blisters and a healing time of $7$ to $21$ days.

Third-degree Burn

A full-thickness burn involving destruction of both epidermis and dermis with damage extending into underlying tissues; may appear charred and often requires skin grafting.

Rule of Nines

A system used to estimate the percentage of body surface area ($BSA$) for various body regions; each major area represents approximately $9\%$ or $18\%$ of the total $BSA$.

Pyrolysis

The process of smoldering in a low-oxygen environment, resulting in smoke.

Combustion

The process of burning with a visible flame in an environment with adequate oxygen.

Parkland Formula

A guide for fluid resuscitation initiating $4\,mL/kg$ of body weight for each percent of body surface area burned over a $24$-hour period.

Carboxyhemoglobin (COHb)

A complex of carbon monoxide and hemoglobin; levels between $10\text{-}20\%$ cause mild headaches, while levels above $70\%$ typically result in death.

BOOP

An acronym for bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia, also known as cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, which may occur after smoke inhalation.

Leaky Alveoli

A term used to describe noncardiogenic high-permeability pulmonary edema occurring in the early stage of smoke inhalation injury.

Cyanide Poisoning Treatment

A treatment regimen that includes amyl nitrite inhalation and intravenous sodium thiosulfate.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

A treatment used to facilitate the rapid elimination of carbon monoxide ($CO$) and enhance the viability of skin grafts.