Burns Trauma: Management and Nursing Care

The burns patient, during the course of the resulting injury, undergoes a variety of physical and psychological changes. The multidisciplinary team needs an understanding of the pathophysiological effects of burns and the management required at each stage of recovery. This book discusses the pathophysiology and the classification of burns and emphasizes the importance of correct action in the first 48 hours. It looks at the special care required by the patient with an inhalation injury and examines the management of pain for burns patients. There is also a thorough analysis of wound care and early wound excision and grafting. The second half of this text looks at the physical and psychological needs of the patient. It discusses nutrition and rehabilitation and examines the special problems of reintegration. A full explanation of scar management and psychological aftercare is given with a special emphasis on post traumatic stress disorder. A concluding chapter discusses the care needs by staff in this specialized area and details the requirements of staff support on a burns unit.