BURNS, HANDS AND FEET: CARING FOR THE PATIENT WITH

Course overview

A burn to the skin is an injury caused by exposure to heat (e.g., wet heat [hot liquid or steam], dry heat [flames, contact with hot surfaces]), radiation (including overexposure to ultraviolet [UV] rays), friction, electricity, or chemicals. The severity of a burn is assessed by the depth of the burn and the extent of the body’s surface that is injured, but burns to the hands and feet are nearly always considered complex injuries due to the potential for significant loss of mobility and function. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of how to care for the patient with burns to the hands and feet. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.