Critical Care Med Surg: Major Burns and Fluid Resuscitation

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering pathophysiology, diagnostic benchmarks, fluid resuscitation, burn classification, emergency management, and rehabilitation based on Critical Care Med Surg lecture notes.

Hypovolemic Shock (Major Burns)

A severe, life-threatening complication resulting from massive tissue damage and cellular destruction, which triggers widespread systemic inflammation, increases vascular permeability, and depletes intravascular fluid volume.

Peak Interstitial Fluid Shift Window

The critical time period between $18$ and $24\text{ hours}$ following extensive burn injury during which fluid shifting into the interstitial spaces is at its greatest.

Hyperkalemia (Burn-Induced)

A high potassium level above $5.0$ occurring in the first $24\text{ hours}$ from massive cellular breakdown, characterized on ECG by tall, peaked T waves.

Hyponatremia (Burn-Induced)

A low serum sodium level below $135$ that occurs within the first $24\text{ hours}$ of a major burn as fluids and electrolytes shift.

Elevated Hemoglobin and Hematocrit (H/H)

A laboratory finding of hemoconcentration during the first $24\text{ hours}$ due to intravascular fluid loss, where hematocrit rises significantly above the normal range of $36\text{--}54\%$ (e.g., reaching $60\%$ or $0.60$).

Lactated Ringer's (LR) Solution

The priority intravenous fluid solution prescribed for volume replacement and resuscitation during the first $24\text{ hours}$ of major burn care.

Fluid Resuscitation Urine Output Benchmark

The primary clinical assessment goal indicating effective renal perfusion and fluid resuscitation in a burn client, defined as $30\,\text{mL/hr}$ or more.

Cardiovascular Benchmarks for Fluid Resuscitation

Clinical parameters indicating adequate burn fluid resuscitation: a systolic blood pressure of $90\,\text{mmHg}$ or higher and a heart rate below $120/\text{min}$.

Enteral Feedings (Burn Management)

Nutritional support that should be initiated only after bowel sounds have returned.

Burn Infection Precaution

A protective isolation measure for immunocompromised burn clients requiring the strict avoidance of fresh flowers or plants inside or near the room.

First-Degree Burn (Superficial)

Direct tissue damage confined to the epidermis, characterized by dry skin with blanchable redness.

Second-Degree Burn (Partial-Thickness)

Dermal and epidermal burn injury clinically identified by painful blisters described as red, moist, shiny, fluid-filled vesicles.

Third-Degree Burn (Full-Thickness)

Burn injury extending through the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layers, presenting as dry, waxy white, leathery, or charred black skin that is non-blanchable.

Prehospital Care for Minor Burns

Immediate intervention focused on: cooling the area briefly with cool water (avoiding ice, creams, or antibiotic ointments on open skin), covering with a clean dry cloth, and removing non-adhered clothing and jewelry.

Chemical Burn Immediate Care

The first essential intervention requiring immediate removal of all clothing, including gloves, shoes, and undergarments.

Rule of Nines

A clinical assessment tool used to rapidly calculate the Total Body Surface Area ($\text{TBSA}$) affected by a burn to estimate required fluid resuscitation volume.

Parkland Formula

The mathematical calculation used to determine emergency fluid resuscitation volume within the first $24\text{ hours}$: $4\,\text{mL} \times \text{body weight in kg} \times \text{\% TBSA}$.

Rehabilitation Phase (Burns)

The post-healing recovery stage that occurs after burn wounds are fully healed, typically lasting around $12\text{ months}$, focused on applying water-based lotion, wearing pressure garments, and performing daily range-of-motion exercises.