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