Nursing care for burn patients

1. plasma loss

2.  loss of body fluids

3.  body tissue rupture

4.  Choking

The rule of nines:

The body is divided according to this rule into sections, with each section assigned a percentage of 9%. This allows for a quick estimation of the affected area at the scene of the incident.

divide Body As follows

• Head = 9%
• Right arm = 9%
• Left arm = 9%
• Front of the torso = 18%
  (Chest = 9%, Abdomen = 9%)
• Back of the torso = 18%
  (Back = 9%, Buttocks = 9%)
• Front of each lower limb = 9%
• Back of each lower limb = 9%
• Genital area = 1%

First aid for major burns

• If the injured person's clothes are on fire, lay them on the ground, lying on their back, and cover them with a blanket or rug.
• Open the airway and ensure proper breathing.
• Do not remove anything stuck to the burned area.
• Do not apply ointments or non-medical substances.
• Do not use cold or ice water on large burn areas to avoid shock.
• Cover the burned area with a clean dressing or clothing to prevent contamination.
• Transport the injured person to a medical center for proper care.
• To prevent shock, provide the patient with fluids and electrolytes.

Chemical burns:

These are burns caused by the body being hit by some caustic chemicals such as concentrated acids or strong alkalis. These burns are characterised by being corrosive and puncturing to the body and penetrating deeply

First aid for chemical burns

•  Make sure you are safe from caustic chemicals

•  Remove clothing from over the burned area

•  Remove any watch or accessories that have been exposed to the chemical

•  Wash the burned area with cold water for at least 20 minutes in case of liquid chemicals, then apply cold compresses

•  Remove powdery chemicals with a brush before washing

•  Cover the entire burned area with a clean dressing or clothing to prevent contamination

•  Transfer the injured person to the nearest hospital if the burn becomes second degree , there is severe pain, or the burn extends to the eye, face, or genitals

Electrical burns

Electrical burns are caused by exposure to high voltage electricity. Electricity causes injury at the point where the electric current enters and exits

First aid for electrical burns

•  Do not touch the victim if he is still connected to electricity

•  Disconnect the power source

•  Use a long, dry stick made of insulating material to move the source of electricity away from the victim .

•  If the cause of the electricity is high voltage, keep a distance of several meters away from the injured person and do not approach him

•  Make sure that the injured person is breathing and that his heart is still beating by feeling the pulse

•  Immediately begin CPR if necessary

•  Cover the burn with a sterile bandage, cover the patient with a clean sheet, and seek immediate help.

Call the ambulance (123) in the following cases:

-    Difficulty breathing

-    Cardiac arrest

-    Cardiac arrhythmia

-    Severe burns

-    Convulsions

-    Deterioration or loss of consciousness 

Fire prevention, safety and early warning methods that reduce damage and losses

• Smoke detectors should be installed, and they must be connected to fire alarm bells in homes and workplaces.
• Fire extinguishers should be provided in every corner of the home and workplace, and their functionality should be regularly checked.
• Water hose cabinets for firefighting should be installed in homes and workplaces.
• Raise awareness among children by teaching them safety and prevention methods, especially in using devices that could potentially cause fires. Safety rules regarding fire hazards should be taught to them, making them aware of fire sources and the causes of burns. These educational lessons should be provided both at home and in school. Children should be advised against playing with flammable materials such as gas stoves, matches, gasoline, fireworks, faulty electrical appliances, exposed electrical wires, or placing conductive materials in electrical outlets, or playing with burning candles, among other dangerous behaviors.
• All citizens, workers, and students should be trained on proper fire extinguishing methods based on scientific principles. This training should be conducted periodically. Additionally, fire-related authorities such as civil defense, Red Crescent, and emergency departments in hospitals should organize regular practical training sessions supported by awareness lectures. These programs should educate people on the causes of fires, how to combat them, how to prevent them, and how to reduce their spread. Training should also include how to deal with burns and provide first aid to victims to save lives, prevent complications, and alleviate their anxiety and pain before specialized medical help arrives.
• Strict laws should be enacted to mandate the installation of emergency staircases and doors in every residential or commercial building, to be used for escape in the event of a fire.                    

Good habits for dealing with burns, and common bad habits for dealing with burns