Burn Management Course

Lesson 1 • Systemic Pathophysiology of Burns

Describes local and systemic inflammatory responses, fluid shifts, and organ stress following major burns. Prepares learners to anticipate complications in later chapters.

Lesson 2 • Burn Size Estimation Methods

Teaches rule of nines, Lund-Browder chart, and palmar surface methods for total body surface area calculation. Accurate sizing guides fluid resuscitation and triage.

Lesson 3 • Burn Depth Classification

Defines superficial, partial-thickness, and full-thickness burn categories with clinical indicators. Accurate depth assessment drives treatment decisions throughout the course.

Lesson 4 • Skin Anatomy and Burn Vulnerability

Reviews skin layers, appendages, and physiological roles relevant to thermal injury. Provides the anatomical baseline for understanding burn depth classification.

Lesson 1 • Secondary Survey and Burn Mapping

Guides head-to-toe examination to identify all burn areas, associated trauma, and comorbidities. Burn mapping results feed directly into size estimation and treatment planning.

Lesson 2 • Pediatric and Geriatric Burn Assessment

Addresses age-specific anatomical and physiological differences that alter assessment findings and severity thresholds. Ensures accurate triage across the full patient age spectrum.

Lesson 3 • Scene Safety and Mechanism Identification

Covers responder safety protocols and rapid identification of burn mechanism at the scene. Establishes safe approach before patient contact.

Lesson 4 • Primary Survey in Burn Patients

Applies the ABCDE framework specifically to burn casualties, emphasizing airway threat and circulation compromise. Integrates burn-specific findings into standard trauma assessment.

Lesson 1 • Wound Cooling and First Aid

Establishes evidence-based cooling techniques and contraindications for immediate burn wound care. Proper first aid reduces wound depth progression and pain.

Lesson 2 • Monitoring and Stabilization

Defines essential monitoring parameters and stabilization goals before transport or definitive care. Continuous monitoring detects deterioration and guides resuscitation titration.

Lesson 3 • Fluid Resuscitation Protocols

Teaches Parkland and modified Brooke formulas for calculating resuscitation volumes in adults and children. Correct fluid delivery prevents shock and limits organ dysfunction.

Lesson 4 • Pain and Anxiety Management

Reviews analgesic and anxiolytic options appropriate for the acute burn setting. Effective pain control improves patient cooperation and physiological stability.

Lesson 1 • Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

Explains principles, indications, and application of negative pressure wound therapy in burn care. This technique accelerates granulation and prepares wounds for grafting.

Lesson 2 • Wound Cleansing and Debridement

Covers antiseptic solutions, mechanical cleansing methods, and debridement techniques for burn wounds. Clean wound beds are essential for accurate depth assessment and graft readiness.

Lesson 3 • Topical Antimicrobial Agents

Compares silver sulfadiazine, mafenide acetate, silver-containing dressings, and other topical agents. Agent selection is matched to wound depth, location, and infection risk.

Lesson 4 • Special Anatomical Site Wound Care

Addresses wound care adaptations for face, hands, genitalia, and joints. Site-specific techniques preserve function and minimize cosmetic complications.

Lesson 1 • Antimicrobial Stewardship in Burns

Applies stewardship principles to prophylactic and therapeutic antibiotic use in burn patients. Stewardship reduces resistance emergence and adverse drug effects.

Lesson 2 • Tetanus and Immunization Management

Reviews tetanus prophylaxis decision-making and immunization status assessment in burn patients. Burn wounds carry high tetanus risk requiring systematic immunization review.

Lesson 3 • Infection Surveillance and Diagnosis

Teaches wound biopsy, swab culture interpretation, and systemic infection markers for burn patients. Accurate diagnosis distinguishes colonization from invasive infection.

Lesson 4 • Isolation and Environmental Controls

Covers contact precautions, air handling, and environmental decontamination specific to burn units. Environmental controls interrupt cross-transmission of resistant organisms.

Lesson 1 • Burn Excision Strategies

Compares tangential and fascial excision techniques with timing considerations. Early excision reduces infection risk and shortens hospital stay.

Lesson 2 • Escharotomy and Fasciotomy

Teaches indications, incision lines, and technique for escharotomy and fasciotomy in circumferential burns. Timely decompression prevents ischemia and compartment syndrome.

Lesson 3 • Split-Thickness Skin Grafting

Covers donor site selection, harvesting technique, graft application, and fixation methods. Successful graft take is the primary measure of operative success.

Lesson 4 • Full-Thickness and Composite Grafts

Explains full-thickness graft harvesting and composite graft use for functional and cosmetic areas. These techniques are reserved for specific anatomical and functional priorities.

Lesson 1 • Early Mobilization and Positioning

Establishes positioning protocols and early mobilization strategies to prevent contracture formation. Early activity preserves joint range of motion and reduces hospital stay.

Lesson 2 • Compression Therapy and Splinting

Covers pressure garment fabrication, fitting, and compliance strategies for hypertrophic scar control. Compression therapy is the primary non-surgical scar management intervention.

Lesson 3 • Scar Assessment and Classification

Introduces validated scar assessment tools including Vancouver Scar Scale and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale. Objective scoring guides treatment selection and tracks progress.

Lesson 4 • Exercise and Strengthening Programs

Designs progressive exercise regimens targeting strength, endurance, and range of motion after burns. Structured exercise reverses burn-induced catabolism and functional decline.

Lesson 1 • Chemical and Electrical Burns

Provides specialized decontamination, monitoring, and treatment protocols for chemical and electrical injuries. These mechanisms cause injuries beyond the visible wound surface.

Lesson 2 • Pediatric Burn Management

Adapts resuscitation, wound care, and surgical approaches to the physiological and developmental needs of children. Pediatric burns require weight-based dosing and age-specific psychological support.

Lesson 3 • Inhalation Injury Management

Covers diagnosis, bronchoscopic assessment, and ventilatory management of inhalation injury. Inhalation injury significantly increases burn mortality and demands targeted respiratory care.

Lesson 4 • Geriatric Burn Considerations

Addresses reduced physiological reserve, polypharmacy, and comorbidity management in elderly burn patients. Geriatric-specific adjustments reduce mortality and functional decline.