Pathophysiology Mr. Eisner, age 43, sustained severe burns while welding a gasol
ID: 70012 • 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.
8. “My husband is in the Intensive Care Unit, and they said something about him being in shock,” said Mrs. Eisner. Detail how you would educate Mrs. Eisner about shock.
Explanation / Answer
Burn shock occurs due to intravascular volume depletion as well as lowering of occlusion pressure of pulmonary artery. The systemic vascular resistance is increased and there is depression in cardiac output. All these contribute to hypovolemic and distributive shock. I will educate Mr. Eisner’s wife that this shock occurs when blood supply in the body is not adequate in all parts of the body. Some parts receive low or no blood due to burns and the fluid levels are changed in different areas and organ. There is also reduced cardiac output and heart rate is decreased.