MIDTERM COVERAGE

CHAPTER 3

First Aid Measures for Burn

(3 HOURS)
Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the completion of this coverage, the students shall be able to:

 Differentiate the different types and stages of burn

 Perform First aid measure for chemical burn
 Demonstrate dressing of burn site
 Demonstrate actions when providing first aid for a victim whose clothes were caught on
fire

Specific Instructions in the completion of this Chapter:

1. Set your learning goals. At the end of this module you are expected to attain the
Intended Learning Outcomes stated above.
2. Prepare the following materials:
 Disaster Nursing textbooks and other references
 Notebook, bond papers and writing materials
 Worksheets
3. Lecture notes are provided for you.
4. After the lecture, you are required perform a skills demonstration

Key Terms

Chemical Burn
Electrical burn
First Aid
Thermal Burn
Let’s Start!

BURNS

 Burns are a result of the effects of thermal injury on the skin and other tissues
 Human skin can tolerate temperatures up to 42-44 degrees Celsius (107-111 F) but above these,
the higher the temperature the more severe the tissue destruction
 Below 45 C (113 F), resulting changes are reversible but >45 C, protein damage exceeds the
capacity of the cell to repair.

TYPES OF BURNS

1. Thermal- exposure to flame or a hot object

2. Chemical- exposure to acid, alkali or organic substances
3. Electrical- result from the conversion of electrical energy into heat. Extent of injury depends on
the type of current, the pathway of flow, local tissue resistance, and duration of contact
4. Radiation- result from radiant energy being transferred to the body resulting in production of
cellular toxins.

Chemical Burn

Electrical Burn

BURN WOUND ASSESSMENT

 Classified according to depth of injury and extent of body surface area involved
 Burn wounds differentiated depending on the level of dermis and subcutaneous tissue involved

1. superficial (first-degree)
 2. deep (second-degree)

3. full thickness (third and fourth degree)

1. SUPERFICIAL BURNS (FIRST DEGREE)

 Epidermal tissue only affected
 Erythema, blanching on pressure, mild swelling
no vesicles or blister initially
 Not serious unless large areas involved (i.e.
sunburn)

2. DEEP (SECOND DEGREE)
*Involves the epidermis and deep layer of the dermis
 Fluid-filled vesicles –red, shiny, wet, severe
pain
 Extremely painful due to exposed nerve
endings
 Hospitalization required if over 25% of body
surface involved ( i.e. tar burn, flame)

3. FULL THICKNESS (THIRD/FOURTH

DEGREE)
 Destruction of all skin layers
 Requires immediate hospitalization
 Dry, waxy white, leathery, or hard
skin, no pain
 Painless, extensive fluid & metabolic
deficits
 Heal only by wound contraction, if
small, or if big, by skin grafting or
coverage by a skin flap
 Exposure to flames, electricity or
chemicals can cause 3rd degree burns