Burns

Rationale

Burns are a fairly common injury to skin or other tissues. Depending on severity, they may be life-threatening or fatal.

Causal Conditions

(list not exhaustive)

1. Thermal
2. Electrical
3. Chemical
4. Radiation

Key Objectives

Given a patient with burns, the candidate will diagnose the severity and manage any complications. In particular, the candidate will institute initial management of major thermal trauma.

Enabling Objectives

Given a patient with burns, the candidate will

1. list and interpret critical clinical findings, including
   1. severity, depth, and extent of the burns;
   2. risk of associated inhalation injury or other associated clinical problems; and
   3. the patient’s tetanus immunization status;
2. list and interpret critical investigations, including laboratory and imaging studies; and
3. construct an effective initial management plan, including
   1. resuscitating and stabilizing the patient, including the use of appropriate intravenous fluids;
   2. addressing wound care;
   3. providing physiologic monitoring and pain control;
   4. determining whether the patient requires specialized care; and
   5. anticipating medium-term and long-term complications (e.g., psychosocial effects).