BURN INJURIES

- Glossary

Burn: Damage to the skin or underlying tissues caused by thermal, chemical, electrical, or radiation energy.

Burn Shock: A type of hypovolemic shock resulting from massive fluid shifts and capillary leak following severe burns.

Debridement: Removal of non-viable tissue to reduce infection risk and promote healing.

Eschar: Dry, thick, leathery necrotic tissue formed after deep burns.

Escharotomy: A surgical incision through the eschar to relieve pressure and restore circulation or ventilation.

Fluid Resuscitation: Controlled IV fluid replacement to maintain organ perfusion after major burns.

Full-Thickness Burn: Burn extending through all skin layers and typically requiring surgical management.

Inhalation Injury: Respiratory tract damage caused by smoke or toxic gas inhalation.

Hypermetabolic State: Increased metabolic demand occurring after major burns, requiring enhanced nutritional support.

Parkland Formula: A formula used to calculate initial fluid requirements in burn patients (4 mL x body weight x TBSA).

Partial-Thickness Burn: Burn involving the epidermis and part of the dermis; may heal without surgery.

TBSA (Total Body Surface Area): The percentage of body surface affected by burns, used to determine severity and guide fluid resuscitation.