Rationale

Burns are a fairly common injury to skin or other tissues. Depending on severity, they may be life-threatening or fatal.

Causal Conditions

(list not exhaustive)

1. Thermal

2. Electrical

3. Chemical

4. Radiation

Key Objectives

Given a patient with burns, the candidate will diagnose the severity and manage any complications. In particular, the candidate will institute initial management of major thermal trauma.

Enabling Objectives

Given a patient with burns, the candidate will

1. list and interpret critical clinical findings, including

   1. severity, depth, and extent of the burns;

   2. risk of associated inhalation injury or other associated clinical problems; and

   3. the patient’s tetanus immunization status;

2. list and interpret critical investigations, including laboratory and imaging studies; and

3. construct an effective initial management plan, including

   1. resuscitating and stabilizing the patient, including the use of appropriate intravenous fluids;

   2. addressing wound care;

   3. providing physiologic monitoring and pain control;

   4. determining whether the patient requires specialized care; and

   5. anticipating medium-term and long-term complications (e.g., psychosocial effects).