Critical care of the child with burns.

Nursing care of the burned child requires an understanding of the pathophysiology of burn injury, the response of children to burn trauma, the impact of injury on the child and his or her parents, and the child's developmental needs, among others. Immediately following injury, burn shock represents a life-threatening problem. Treatment involves administration of Ringer's lactated solution for the first 24 hours, followed by plasma. Measures to enhance oxygen delivery to tissues are important nursing interventions. Airway damage may also be present and requires prompt assessment and treatment. Sepsis is the major cause of death and morbidity among burn victims. Immaculate care of the burn wound, monitoring for sepsis, and strict infection control procedures are essential. Interrelated with sepsis prevention and wound healing is adequate nutritional management. Diet, enteral hyperalimentation, and parenteral nutritional therapy may be required to meet the child's extraordinary nutritional requirements.