Pathophysiology Mr. Eisner, age 43, sustained severe burns while welding a gasol
ID: 70013 • 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.
9. Mr. Eisner’s son is demanding an explanation of how, and if, partial-thickness burns differ from second degree burns. How would you explain this to him?
Explanation / Answer
Burns are characterized by skin damage leading to death of the affected cells. It is associated with the burning sensation. Burns can be categorized into three kinds depending on the degree of injury;
In superficial dermal burns, epidermal and upper dermal layer is affected while most tissue structures are intact. Clear blisters are found. These may get recovered within 14 days.
Deep dermal burns involve epidermis and significant part of the dermis. Deeper tissue structures are intact. Here bloody blisters are found. Recover time is over 21 days.