The Care of Patient with Major Burn in the Emergency Period

Abstract

Burns are one of the important traumas which cause to necrosis and systemic damages, to lead people to suffer, to become disabled and even to death, and to bring severe burdens on the country's economy. The emergency period is the time of about 24-48 hours that begins with the formation of burn, followed by loss of fluid and developing of oedema, continues until completing the treatment of fluid and beginning the diuresis. Within this period, the life-saving emergency interventions are required to be started immediately by performing an accurate, complete and rapid diagnosis. Care interventions to be applied are based on ensuring and sustaining the intact airway passage, respiration and circulation, fluid-electrolyte balance and wound care as well as on nutritional support. The nurse who provides care to the patient with burn should have the actual and comprehensive knowledge regarding the physiological changes occurred post-burn period and the skill of critical evaluation to realize the sudden changes in the patient's condition. In addition to this, the nurse should be able to provide care to the patient who experiences psychosocial problem due to trauma besides the risk of life and their family, in a sensitive, gentle and caring attitude, based on their requirements.