K.N.O.W. Home Health - BURN INJURIES

PATIENT EDUCATION: BURN INJURIES

What it is: A burn is an injury to the skin and sometimes deeper tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation.
Types of burn injuries:
- First-degree burns: Affect only the top layer of skin (red, painful).
- Second-degree burns: Affect deeper skin layers (blisters, swelling, redness).
- Third-degree burns: Affect all layers of skin and possibly underlying tissues (white, charred, or numb).
Location and severity: Burns can happen anywhere on the body. Severity can be mild, moderate, or severe depending on depth and size.
Cause/risk factors:
- Hot liquids, flames, electrical sources, chemicals, sunburn.
- Young children, elderly, or people with certain medical conditions are at higher risk.

Pain management: Take prescribed medications as directed.
Mobility: Avoid using burned areas until cleared. Gentle exercises may help maintain movement if recommended.
Wound care: Follow physician’s instructions exactly. Keep the burn clean and dry. Contact home health or your doctor if the wound looks infected.
Rest and rehabilitation: Allow time for healing. Protect the burned area from pressure, friction, or further injury.

Infection prevention: Wash hands before touching the burn, use clean dressings, and avoid contaminated water.
Fall prevention: Remove trip hazards, use handrails, ensure proper lighting.
Monitoring for delayed symptoms: Watch for new redness, swelling, or pus, and report it promptly.

Call home health or doctor: Mild pain, routine dressing questions, minor swelling, or routine check-ins.
Go to ER immediately: Large or deep burns, burns involving face/hands/genitals, heavy bleeding, severe pain, signs of infection (fever, spreading redness, pus), or difficulty breathing.

TRUE or FALSE: A burn is damage to the skin and sometimes deeper tissues.
TRUE or FALSE: Only flames can cause burns.
TRUE or FALSE: First-degree burns affect only the top layer of skin.
TRUE or FALSE: Second-degree burns can cause blisters.
TRUE or FALSE: Third-degree burns can destroy all layers of skin.
TRUE or FALSE: Mild burns do not require any care.
TRUE or FALSE: Burns can occur on any part of the body.
TRUE or FALSE: Redness spreading or pus may indicate infection.
TRUE or FALSE: Fever after a burn is a warning sign of infection.
TRUE or FALSE: Pain should always be ignored when recovering from a burn.
TRUE or FALSE: Following physician wound care instructions helps burns heal safely.
TRUE or FALSE: Burned areas should be kept clean and dry.
TRUE or FALSE: Gentle exercises may help maintain movement during recovery.
TRUE or FALSE: Removing trip hazards at home can prevent falls.
TRUE or FALSE: Scarring is a possible delayed complication of burns.
TRUE or FALSE: Young children and elderly are at higher risk for burns.
TRUE or FALSE: Large burns or burns on the face, hands, or genitals require ER care.
TRUE or FALSE: Using contaminated water on a burn can increase infection risk.
TRUE or FALSE: Only hospital staff need to monitor for delayed symptoms; patients don’t.
TRUE or FALSE: Immediate ER care is needed if there is heavy bleeding, severe pain, or breathing problems after a burn.

TRUE – Burns damage the skin and sometimes underlying tissues.
FALSE – Burns can also come from hot liquids, chemicals, electricity, or radiation.
TRUE – First-degree burns affect only the top skin layer.
TRUE – Second-degree burns involve blisters and deeper skin.
TRUE – Third-degree burns affect all skin layers and underlying tissue.
FALSE – Even mild burns require proper care to prevent infection and promote healing.
TRUE – Burns can occur on any body part.
TRUE – Spreading redness or pus are infection signs.
TRUE – Fever may indicate infection and needs prompt attention.
FALSE – Pain should be managed and reported if severe.
TRUE – Following instructions ensures safe healing and reduces complications.
TRUE – Keeping burns clean and dry helps prevent infection.
TRUE – Gentle exercises can prevent stiffness if recommended.
TRUE – Removing hazards prevents falls and further injury.
TRUE – Scarring can occur after deep or severe burns.
TRUE – Certain populations are more vulnerable to burn injuries.
TRUE – Burns on sensitive areas or large burns require immediate care.
TRUE – Contaminated water increases infection risk.
FALSE – Patients must monitor for delayed symptoms and report changes promptly.
TRUE – Heavy bleeding, severe pain, or breathing problems are emergencies.