Burns and Burn Injury Q 69

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The nursing instructor is going over burn injuries. The instructor tells the students that the nursing care priorities for a patient with a burn injury include wound care, nutritional support, and prevention of complications such as infection. Based upon these care priorities, the instructor is most likely discussing a patient in what phase of burn care?

  

    A. Emergent Phase

    B. Immediate Resuscitative Phase

    C. Acute Phase

    D. Rehabilitation Phase

    

    

Correct Answer: C. Acute Phase

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The acute or intermediate phase of burn care follows the emergent/resuscitative phase and begins 48 to 72 hours after the burn injury. During this phase, attention is directed toward continued assessment and maintenance of respiratory and circulatory status, fluid and electrolyte balance, and gastrointestinal function. Infection prevention, burn wound care that includes wound cleaning, topical antibacterial therapy, wound dressing, dressing changes, wound debridement, and wound grafting, pain management, and nutritional support are priorities at this stage and are discussed in detail in the following sections.

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Option A: The emergent phase begins with the onset of burn injury and lasts until the completion of fluid resuscitation or a period of about the first 24 hours. During the emergent phase, the priority of client care involves maintaining an adequate airway and treating the client for burn shock.

Option B: Priorities during the immediate resuscitative phase include first aid, prevention of shock and respiratory distress, detection and treatment of concomitant injuries, and initial wound assessment and care.

Option D: The priorities during the rehabilitation phase include prevention of scars and contractures, rehabilitation, functional and cosmetic reconstruction, and psychosocial counseling.

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