Which of the following is the analgesic of choice for burn pain?
Morphine is the preferred drug in the management of acute pain in severe burn injuries (22).
How serious is second-degree burns?
Second-degree burns are more serious because the damage extends beyond the top layer of skin. This type burn causes the skin to blister and become extremely red and sore. Some blisters pop open, giving the burn a wet or weeping appearance.
What are some common burn complications?
Complications
- Bacterial infection, which may lead to a bloodstream infection (sepsis)
- Fluid loss, including low blood volume (hypovolemia)
- Dangerously low body temperature (hypothermia)
- Breathing problems from the intake of hot air or smoke.
- Scars or ridged areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue (keloids)
How do you know if you have a first or second-degree burn?
First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of the skin. They cause pain, redness, and swelling. Second-degree burns affect both the outer and underlying layer of skin. They cause pain, redness, swelling, and blistering.
Why don’t they sedate burn patients?
Therefore, sedated burn patients may be exposed to a higher risk of suffering from insufficient analgesia due to the inappropriate use of pain assessment tools.
Are 2nd degree burns worse than 3rd?
Second-degree burns are more serious burns that affect the outer layer of skin and the next layer, the dermis. They take longer to heal. Third-degree burns are the most serious types of burn. They affect both layers of skin and may also affect other tissue, such as sweat glands.
How do you tell if a burn is healing or infected?
If you see or experience the following, you could have an infection:
- Any change in color of the burnt area or the skin surrounding it.
- Swelling with purplish discoloration.
- Increased thickness of the burn with it extending deep into the skin.
- Green discharge or pus.
- Presence of a fever.
How can you tell if a burn is healing?
Monitor your healing. It may be difficult to tell when a burn has healed because it will have a different coloration from your regular skin, but healed skin will look dry. The exception is full-thickness burns, which will appear dry from the start.
Is swelling around a burn normal?
Swelling tends to occur soon after injury and generally decreases after 48–72 hours, although this timescale can vary. The extent and location of the swelling will depend on how the burn was caused and the location and depth of the burn injury. It is very important that the swelling is reduced as soon as possible.