Fourth Degree Burn Case Study

A 45-year-old male, weighs 185-lbs, single father, which goes by, Mr. Sullivan was transported by life flight to Parkland emergency room, after being pulled from a burning vehicle, leaving him with third and fourth degree burns.

Mr. Sullivan was in route to pick up his daughter from daycare, when he was struck by an oncoming car, causing his truck to flip upside down. Minutes later, the vehicle burst into flames. Shortly after, emergency personnel arrived at the scene, fire squad extinguished the fire, while the paramedics pulled Mr. Sullivan out. Unfortunately, Mr. Sullivan had suffered severe burns and smoke inhalations.

Mr. Sullivan was unconscious and barely breathing. He had third-degree burns over 30% of his body and fourth-degree burn

Sullivan suffers from third- and fourth-degree burns. Third and fourth degree burns are very severe and need to be treated immediately. Burns like these occur when the burn exposure is prolonged. They may be caused by a chemical source, flames from a fire, scalding liquids, hot metals, intense ultraviolet rays, or an electrical source. Normally patients with these types of burns feel little or no pain, due to damage of the nervous system and the skin. The third degree burn normally involves the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and the entire layer beneath (dermis). It is also known as a full thickness burn. A fourth degree burn is when a burn enters deeply into the subcutaneous tissue, destroying the skin, subcutaneous fat, and underlying tendons, and also include muscle, fascia, or bone. The thermal energy generated by the third and fourth degree burn is much defined. The degree of thermal damage is indicated by the zones of coagulation, stasis, and hyperemia. Even though the zone of stasis is not destroyed immediately it will necrotize during the first couple of days after injury causing a fatal combination of factors and or death. The healing of a burn follows the same course as a surgical wound and progresses from the zone of hyperemia. There are several risk factors associated with these types of burns such as, lack of proper blood circulation when the major blood vessels are damaged, that then will lead to lack of oxygen, and lastly, it can lead to shock. Permanent limb damage may occur due to injured bones and tissues. When wounds are open and exposed, they run the risk of infections, which can lead to sepsis. Sepsis is a potential life-threatening illness that occurs when the body responds to infections and injures of its own tissues and organs. Compartment syndrome may also occur if the hypodermis is damaged. Compartment syndrome transpires when, there is an extreme amount of pressure built up inside an enclosed space within the body. If medical