Risk Factors of an Electrical Burn - Example

Name : xxxxxxxxxxx Institution : xxxxxxxxxxx Course : xxxxxxxxxxx Title : Electric burn Tutor : xxxxxxxxxxx @2010 Introduction Electrical burn injury occurs when an individual is directly exposed to the electric current. It occurs as a result of direct contact with alternating current (AC) or rather direct current (DC). Though some electrical burn injury looks minor, they have the ability to cause an extensive internal damage, particularly to the muscles, heart, or brain. Electric burn injuries portray a lesion, which has a high, functional and aesthetic significance. They transpire less commonly than liquid or flame burn. Injuries suffered as a result of electric current is usually caused by two mechanisms, that is, heating and passage of electric current through the tissue. Heating leads to coagulative necrosis whereas, passage of electric current affects the cell membrane. This effect largely depends on the existing current, resistance of tissues, vigor of the current, the route taken by the electric current in the body and its voltage. Risk factors of an electrical burn There are various factors which increases the level of electric injury. The following factors varies from one victim to another. The main risk factor of an electric burn is the exposure to electric current. Other risk factors include; age- children who are under the age of 4years are poorly monitored and are at the risks of electric burn. Furthermore, children who live with cruel parents are at a higher risk of electric burn. Another risk factor is the use of drugs, any individual who is at the influence of illegal drugs increases the risks of electric burn. Gender-statistics show that men are more likely to suffer from electric burn injury as compared to women. Seasonal- burns tend to occur more during the national holidays which are celebrated with fireworks especially at institutions such as schools. Socio-economical status- individuals living in a substandard house as well as those who receive low income are prone to electric burn injury. The electric wire in the substandard houses are usually protruding outside the socket, thus exposes the inhabitants to the risk of burn. The last factor is unsafe heating practices-the use of electric cords puts an individual at a higher risk of burn. When hot water is heated at 130 °F via the electric current, a person is likely to sustain electric burns. Signs/symptoms of electric burn The slogan "signs and symptoms of Electrical burns" refers to those symptoms of electric burn injury that are not apparent to patients. These signs and symptoms of an electric burn injury vary tremendously from one individual to another. The electric burn symptoms includes, skin burns, numbness, bone fraction, muscle contraction, tenderness, redness, skin blusters, weakness, headache, arrhythmias, swelling, dizziness, shock, sudden hearing problem, and seizure disorder. Rule of nines The rule of nine is a method used in evaluating the percentage of the body burnt. For instance, if the front half of torso is involved, 18% of the entire body is burnt and each arm is 9% of the body surface. Assessment of the burnt area is done badly, even those who are dully experts at it. The rule of nine does not apply in an electric injury. There are three methods used in estimating the victims burnt area, each of this method has different role. While calculating the body burnt, it is important not to include arythema. The rule of nine is a good and quick way of evaluating and estimating the medium to burns especially in adults. The body surface is divided into different areas of 9%, the entire total burn can be calculated. This calculation is not accurate when determining the body surface burnt for children. Assessment of burn area Resuscitation regimens Escharotomies Assessment of burn depth Treatment The immediate treatment for patients with electric burn is to call a paramedic. If possible, it is advisable to shut off all the electric current from its main source (for instance, turning off the electric circuit breaker). Usually, turning off the appliance will automatically impede the flow of electricity. No one should try to touch the victim until he/she is free from electric flow. However, if the electric current cannot be turned off, use an object which does not conduct electricity, such as chair, rug, wooden broom or rubber doormat in order to push the victim from the current. Never use a metal object to turn off the electrical current from its main source. If feasible, stand on a non-conducting object, such as a folded newspaper. Never attempt to rescue the victim near a high voltage line. Disconnecting currents to high voltage is usually done by the power company. A lot of rescuers have been injured in the process of trying to free the victim from electric burn. Immediately the victim is free from the electrical current, check his/her breathing. If the victim is not breathing, cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be administered immediately. The victim is should then covered with a blanket, the purpose being to maintain body heat. Ice ointments, or butter, should not at any moment be applied. The patient should then be taken to the nearest hospital for further evaluation. This treatment will depend on the severity of the burn. The victim is then required to follow the doctor’s advice and instructions. Victims with rhabdomyolysis may require a lot of fluid. A tetanus injection is given if need arises. Skin burns are usually treated with a burn cream such as sulfadiazine, sterile aloevera, or becitracin. Since John injury were minor, he can be treated at home, but if the rescuer does not understand what ought to be done, it is important to seek medical attention. John is hospitalized for a period of 6-24 hours if he has the following characteristics; he has lost consciousness, if the EGG is abnormal, symptoms of heart problems, if John has other severe injuries and if John suffers from a heart problem. Surgical treatment Skin Grafts There are certainly two main categories of Surgical Procedures which can help to cover scarring lost tissue for stern burn victims such as: Dermabrasion as well as Skin Grafts. Dermabrasion refers to a surgical procedure that tends to minimize the form of scars, reinstate role and correct defacement resulting from damage. Skin Graft may be defined as a surgical process where a section of the skin from one part of the patient's body is removed to another part of the body. A skin from an animal or another person is used as a temporary coat for large electrical burn in order to decrease the level of lost fluid. This part of the skin is taken from the donors’ site, which has a healthy skin and then implanted at the injured recipient site. Skin graft as well as flaps is more severe as compared to any other scar revision surgeries for instance dermabrasion. They are mostly performed in the hospital under a common anaesthesia. The treated body surface of John depends specifically on the size of the injured area and intense of the damage that determines the total amount of time needed for him to heal. The approximate time required for john’s minor injury to heal would be 6 weeks. Within a period of 36 hours or so of the surgery, a fresh blood vessel begins to grow from the victim’s part on the transplanted skin. Most of this surgical graft tends to be successful; however some may entail a supplementary surgery if the injury does not heal properly. Surgical treatment of electrical burn varies mostly with the intense of the injury. If the damage involves skin loss, treatment is consummated by autogenous skin grafts. This coverage helps to avert the development of necrosis of the specialized arrangement. Nursing plan Electric burn occurs as a result of high voltage that generates heat that travels in the victim’s body. The underlying damage is more sensitive and severe than the visual injury. Adult patients are mostly admitted for acute care throughout the rehabilitation phase. Those victims with minor injuries whose age are considered at a high risk are taken to the rehabilitation unit for them to fully recover. Nursing care for burn victims includes maintaining the patient’s airway and monitoring closely the respiratory function, alleviating pain, giving emotional support to the victims and family, providing relevant information on the patient’s condition, restoring stability and diagnosing treatment. Each year, an estimate of about 2 million electric burn injuries occur in Australia, approximately 100,000 people require urgent hospital care. Electric burn which are not common, occur as a result of fire, hot liquid, war, electrical malfunction, vehicles crashes and fire at home place. The rates of those who survive the incidence have greatly increased with the development of newer treatment as well as skin barrier enlargement. However, both moderate and severe burn result in many dollars spent on psychological rehabilitation. Moderate thickness burn involves both the epidermis and dermis. The affected area (wound) tends to appear pink with very little weeping blisters, edema and moist. Full thickness burns occurs where all layers of the body skin, that is; the muscle, blood supply and the nerves are burnt. Wounds which occur have a dry texture on the victim’s body. Reference Janet. C, Mechanism of Electrical Injury Chicago Electrical Trauma Research Institute Accessed: New York, 2010 Remensnyder. J, Acute Electrical Injuries: WB Saunders Co.1999. Read More