Burn Injury Assessment and Care

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Identify different types of burns (thermal, chemical, electrical, and radiation) and their pathophysiology.

2. Assess burn severity using established scales (e.g., Rule of Nines, Lund-Browder chart).

3. Recognize systemic responses to burns, including fluid shifts, infection risk, and metabolic demands.

4. Apply evidence-based wound care techniques and dressing selection.

5. Incorporate pain management strategies, including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.

6. Identify medication considerations, contraindications, and potential risks using the Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR).

7. Educate patients and caregivers on burn care, prevention of complications, and rehabilitation exercises.

8. Coordinate care among interdisciplinary teams (nursing, PT/PTA, OT, behavioral health, nutrition, and physicians).

9. Document assessments, interventions, and patient outcomes in accordance with regulatory and quality control standards.