Pathophysiology Mr. Eisner, age 43, sustained severe burns while welding a gasol
ID: 70003 • Letter: P
Question
Pathophysiology
Mr. Eisner, age 43, sustained severe burns while welding a gasoline tank that he had removed from a truck. He had full-thickness burns on his face and bald head and on both of his arms and hands – as well as a mixture of superficial and deep partial-thickness burns on his anterior trunk. His genital area, lower extremities, and posterior body were not burned.
After assessment and emergency stabilization, Mr. Eisner was transported to a regional burn center for care.
2. Should blisters be expected to appear on Mr. Eisner’s bald head? Why or why not?
Explanation / Answer
Though a person is bald, hair folllicles are still present. The follicles shrink, the dont completely disappear. Thus, when exposed to fire, a bald head is more likely to develop blisters is it is a first degree or second degree burn. Howver, in full-thickness burns, the scalp becomes dry and appear waxy white, leathery, brown, or charred.
Blisters appear when the epidermis and dermis are damaged, that is, when the burns are second degree burns. In full-thickness burns, the upper layers of skin are completely burnt away, they are gone. Therefore, a person doesnt develop 'blisters, he doesn't feel pain either due to damage to the nerves.