Patient assessment

Patient assessment

History Key points that should be ascertained include:1

• Mechanism • Timing • Details of injury • Age

  • Burn agent (flame, chemical, etc.)
  • What treatment/first aid has already been administered?
  • Possibility of other injuries (e.g., if explosion, then possible internal injuries)
  • Risk of inhalation injuries (if burn occurred in an enclosed space)
 

Timing – when did the injury occur and how long was the patient exposed to the source of the burn

 
  • If liquid, was it boiling?
  • If tea or coffee, was there milk in it?
  • If electrocution, what voltage?
  • If chemical, what was the chemical?
 

The age of patient – extremes of age (under 5 or over 60 years of age) indicate referral

 

Pre-existing illnesses and drug sensitivities or allergies.
The patient’s tetanus immunization status.

 
 

References [+]

  1. Hettiaratchy S, Papini R. Initial management of a major burn: I-overview. BMJ. 2004;328(7455):1555-1557.

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