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Management
and Monitoring of the Burned Patient
How
is the "Percentage of Burned Area" Calculated? |
|
| Estimation
of the size of the burn is done using the "rule of nines" shown in Diagram
2. The corresponding area of burn is identified on the diagram, and
the total percentage is calculated as the sum of the burned areas.
The type or thickness of the burn can also be recorded on the diagram. Many burns are mixed in nature, for example, the outer edges may be partial thickness, while areas of deep partial and full thickness burns may extend toward the center. The appearance of the burn, along with the presence of blanching, blisters and pain helps to determine the extent of the injury. The
percentage of burns may change as the tissue injury evolves and more extensive
tissue damage becomes evident. Infection can increase the severity
of the burn over the course of the injury.
|
Diagram
2
|
Derek Brzozowski and Brenda Morgan. (October 23, 2000)
Thelan, L., Urden, L., Lough,
M., & Stacy, K. Critical Care Nursing: Diagnosis and Management. Mosby:
Toronto. pp. 1141-1170.