Burns *

Objectives (EM)

1. In burn patients, assess carefully also for associated injuries (e.g., trauma, smoke inhalation, toxic exposure [cyanide, carbon monoxide]), and for complications (e.g., compartment syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, acidosis, electrolyte abnormalities).
2. In burn patients with possible inhalational injury, seek signs of potential airway injury and intervene early, if indicated.
3. In patients with severe burns, treat pain early and effectively (e.g., IV analgesia).
4. In patients with major burns, administer fluid replacement appropriately (e.g. calculate fluid replacement based on time of injury rather than time of arrival in the emergency department) and monitor response.
5. In a burn patient who has been assessed and stabilized, determine the appropriate disposition based on all the key factors in the clinical presentation (e.g., location and severity of burn, age of patient, comorbidity, social conditions).
6. In patients who present with severe unexplained hand or finger pain, inquire about chemical exposure (e.g., hydrofluoric acid).