TRAUMA
TABLE 3.12. Burn Clinical Findings and Prognosis
TYPE CLINICALFINDINGS PROGNOSIS
Superficial Similar to sunburn: red, painful, Heals without scarring in 1 wk
tender, no blistering
Superficial partial-thickness Red, painful, blistering, blanching Hair follicles and sweat glands are retained.
Usually heals with minimal scarring in 2–3 wk
Deep partial-thickness Red to pale white-yellow, blistering Healing can take 3–8 wk with scarring, and
with rupture, no blanching. contracture.
Decreased two-point discrimination
but can feel pressure
Full-thickness Charred, white/black, painless, and Surgical grafting is required unless <1 cm
leathery diameter.
Subdermal Severe burns Life and limb threatening
FIGURE 3.19. Adult TBSA diagram.
(Reproduced, with permission, from Tintinalli JE, Kelen GD, Stapczynski JS. Emergency
Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide, 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2004:1221.)
Area of the patient’s palm is
approximately 1% TBSA,
which is useful when
evaluating children.