Medical Surgical Nursing

with unaffected extremity.
3. Remove blood pressure cuff
after each reading.
4. Elevate burned extremities.
5. Report loss of pulse or
sensation or presence of
pain to physician
immediately.
6. Prepare to assist with
escharotomies.

flow.

2. These

assessments

indicate

characteristics of

peripheral

perfusion.

3. Cuff may act as a

tourniquet as

extremities swell.

4. Elevation reduces

edema formation.

5. These signs and

symptoms may

indicate

inadequate tissue

perfusion.

6. Escharotomies

relieve the

constriction

caused by

swelling under

circumferential

burns and

improve tissue

perfusion.

pulses

detectable by

Doppler

Curling's Ulcer

1. Assess gastric aspirate for
   pH and blood.


2. Assess stools for occult
   blood.


3. Administer histamine
   blockers and antacids as
   prescribed.

1. Acidic pH

indicates need for

antacids or

histamine

blockers. Blood

indicates possible

gastric bleeding.

2. Blood in stools

may indicate

gastric or

duodenal ulcer.

3. Such medications

reduce gastric

acidity and risk

of ulceration.

 Absence of

abdominal

distention

 Normal bowel

sounds within

48 hours

 Gastric

aspirate and

stools do not

contain blood