Medical First Responder

Lesson 8 (LP)
Burns
OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
List the types of burns and their pre-hospital treatment.
To be able to differentiate the degree of burn sustained by a
patient.
Definition
BURNS - Injuries caused by exposure to excessive heat from thermal,
chemical, electrical or radiation.

Causes of Burns
1. Thermal – HOT AND COLD
2. Chemical - STRONG ACIDS AND ALKALIS
3. Electrical – HOUSE CURRENT AND LIGHTNING
4. Radiant – RADIOACTIVE AND ULTRAVIOLET RAYS

Classification by Depth

1. SUPERFICIAL (1ST DEGREE) involves only the top layer of the skin.
There is reddening of the skin and some pain and swelling of the area.

2. PARTIAL THICKNESS (2ND DEGREE) – The first layer and the second
layer of the skin are burned. Extremely painful. Swelling, and
blistering, skin may appear white or red, may be moist and mottled.

3. FULL THICKNESS (3RD DEGREE) – All the layers of the skin are burnt
including the fatty layer, muscles, blood vessels, nerves and bones in
some cases. Skin is usually dry, hard, pale or white but it can be brown
or scorched.

The “Rule of Nine “

Adult Child
Head & neck 9% 18%
Upper Extremities Each 9% Each 9%
Anterior Trunk 18% 18%
Posterior Trunk 18% 18%
Genital 1% Included in anterior
trunk
Lower Extremities Each 9% Each 14%
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 Medical First Responder

LBP MFD – NCR Rev April 2012

LP 8 - 1
Burn Severity
1. Minor Burns
 Superficial burns of 50% BSA or less
 Partial thickness of less than 15% BSA
 Full thickness burns of less than 2% BSA excluding face, hands,
feet, genitalia or respiratory tract
2. Moderate Burns
 Superficial burns of OVER 50% BSA
 Partial thickness of 15% - 30% BSA
 Full thickness burns of 2% - 10% BSA excluding face, hands,
feet, genitalia or respiratory tract
3. Critical Burns
 All burns complicated by injuries of the respiratory tract, other
soft tissue injuries and injuries to the bones
 Partial or full thickness burns involving the face, hands, feet,
genitalia or respiratory tract
 Full thickness burns of MORE THAN 10% BSA
 Partial thickness of MORE THAN 30%
 Burns complicated by musculoskeletal injuries
 Circumferential burns
Additional considerations:
 Source of Burn – ELECTRICAL, CHEMICAL
 Body regions burned - FACE, HAND, FEET, GROIN, GENITALIA,
BUTTOCKS AND INNER THIGH
 Other complicating factors
o PATIENT’S AGE o PATIENT’S EXISTING ILLNESS
Pre-Hospital Treatment for Burns

1. Stop the burning process.

…………………………………………………………………………………………
2. Remove any smouldering clothing and jewelleries
…………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Perform initial assessment.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
4. Administer O2 per local protocol
…………………………………………………………………………………………
5. Determine the severity of burns using rule of nine
…………………………………………………………………………………………
6. Cover the burns.
………………………………………………………………………………………….
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 Medical First Responder

LBP MFD – NCR Rev April 2012

LP 8 - 2
7. Keep the patient warm and treat for shock
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Pre-Hospital Treatment for Chemical Burns
1. Brush off chemicals before flushing with water
………………………………………………………………………………………….
2. Rinse the area with water for at least 20 minutes or more.
………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. Remove clothing and jewellery on affected area while being washed
off.
………………………………………………………………………………………….
4. Apply sterile dressing
………………………………………………………………………………………….
5. Treat for shock
………………………………………………………………………………………….
Pre-Hospital Treatment for Chemical Burns to the Eyes
1. Rinse eyes immediately for AT LEAST 20 MINUTES
2. Maintain a flow of water on the affected eye from a faucet, bottle or
other source
………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. Keep the patient’s eye open
………………………………………………………………………………………….
Pre-Hospital Treatment for Electrical Burns
1. Perform initial assessment
2. Evaluate the burns
3. Apply sterile damp dressing
4. Treat for Shock
Inhalation Injury
Signs and Symptoms
 Singed nasal hair  Respiratory distress
 Burns to the face  Hoarseness, cough or difficulty
 Specks of soot in the sputum of speaking
 Sooty or smoky smell on the  Restricted chest movement
breath  Cyanosis
Pre-Hospital Treatment for Inhalation Injury
1. Administer O2 per local protocol
………………………………………………………………………………….
2. Monitor patient’s airway and breathing
………………………………………………………………………………….
3. Be prepared to ventilate
………………………………………………………………………………….
 Medical First Responder

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LBP MFD – NCR Rev April 2012
LP 8 - 3