Burn laboratory findings

Revision as of 09:06, 15 January 2021 by Hudakarman (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Burn Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Epidemiology and Demographics

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Electrocardiogram

X-ray

CT

MRI

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Burn laboratory findings On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Burn laboratory findings

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Burn laboratory findings

CDC on Burn laboratory findings

Burn laboratory findings in the news

Blogs on Burn laboratory findings

Directions to Hospitals Treating Burn

Risk calculators and risk factors for Burn laboratory findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Eman Alademi, M.D.[2]


Overview

Laboratory Findings

Most nutrition laboratory testing relies on serum concentrations of ingested nutrients, their coenzymes, proteins, or lipids. Alternatively, functional tests measure a specific physiological process or biochemical reaction. We compared these two approaches to nutritional assessment in intensive-care burn patients, in whom the serum concentrations of transthyretin (prealbumin), albumin, transferrin, carotene, retinol, ascorbic acid, copper, cholesterol, iron, and calcium were all below established reference ranges. In contrast, serum triglyceride concentrations were often above the reference range. Functional tests for thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, and iron (by zinc protoporphyrin/heme ratio) in these patients all showed normal values. Dietary intake, weight trends, and nitrogen balances all indicated that these patients' estimated caloric and protein needs had been met. These findings suggest that static measurements of serum concentrations may be unreliable indicators of nutritional status in burn patients.[1]

CBC

  • The hematocrit (Hct) is the percentage of of the volume of the whole blood that is made up of red blood cells. In burns, the patient has lost a lot of fluid from leaky blood vessels (see Systemic Effects of Burns in the Case Study Workbook). There are more red cells than fluid so the hematocrit is high. You can think about this if you make up a packet of Kool Aid. If you dilute the Kool Aid with 2 qts of water, it tastes about right; it's normal. If I dilute the Kool Aid with 1 cup of water, it's very concentrated. Think of the hematocrit as describing how concentrated the Kool Aid is, only in this case we're talking about how concentrated the blood is. If there's not a lot of fluid in the vessels, the blood is very concentrated. The hematocrit goes up.

Chemistry Panel

  • The glucose value is elevated. The body is under extreme stress. Glucose stores are released from the liver and new glucose is made. This extra glucose is needed as energy for the body to heal.

Basic laboratory tests include the following:

  • Sputum Culture and Sensitivity,

References

  1. Heimbach, D M; Labbé, R F; Williamson, J C; Rettmer, R L (1992). "Laboratory Monitoring of Nutritional Status in Burn Patients". Clinical Chemistry. 38 (3): 334–337. doi:10.1093/clinchem/38.3.334. ISSN 0009-9147.
  2. "Treatment of burns in the first 24 hours: simple and practical guide by answering 10 questions in a step-by-step form".

Template:WikiDoc Sources