Following a burn injury, some patients will be admitted to the hospital for a period of time and then discharged home. When the patient returns home, he/she will require an adjustment period not only for him/her but also for the whole family. Consideration after discharge: Itching. Pain. Home wound care.…
Medications are often used when the patient is intubated in the form of sedative and analgesic drugs to reduce the anxiety and stress associated with the intubation as well as helping the patient with tolerating the constant irritation of the endotracheal tube. The patient is also given prophylaxis against Deep…
Burns can affect different parts of the body in different ways. Some patients will not be able to breathe on their own and may need the help of a breathing machine (mechanical ventilator). Mechanical ventilator: can be defined as a device that is designed to help the patient to breathe…
Management: First aid should be administered as soon as a chemical burn has occurred. Remove the cause of the chemical burn. For liquid chemicals, remove any clothing or other items that the chemicals may have spilled on. Wash thoroughly any chemicals off the skin under running water for 15-30 minutes.…
Chemical burns of the skin are burns that happen when strong acids or strong bases (alkalies) come in contact with the skin. Chemical burns follow the standard burn classification (first part I, II, second and third degree part I, II), most chemical burns occur on the face, eyes, arms and…
Treatment: If it is possible shut of the electrical current from its source. Call for medical help. If the current can’t be turned off, use a non conducting object such as a wooden broom, rug, and chair to push the victim away from the source of the current. Don’t use…
Electrical burns are burns that happen when a person is directly exposed to an electrical current, they can cause extensive damage to internal organs. Potential causes: Children poking metal object like a knife in an electrical outlet, sucking, chewing, or biting an electrical cord. Accidental contact with exposed parts of…
A contracture scar can be defined as tightening of the skin overlying the affected area. This type of scar may affect the adjacent muscles, tendons and nerves leading to limitation in the ability to move. A contracture is a serious complication; it happens when the normal elastic connective tissue is…
The skin plays an important role in the regulation of body temperature and protecting it from sudden temperature changes. Our body needs to be kept at an optimum operating temperature in order for our cells to perform properly. Temperature affects the rate of chemical reactions inside the body. The average…
Vitamin D is one of the fat soluble vitamins; it plays an important role in maintaining the normal blood levels of calcium and phosphate which are needed for normal mineralization of bone, muscle contraction, nerve conduction and proper cellular function of the body, it also plays a role in the…