A 28-year-old male is admitted to the burn unit 2 hours after receiving second- and third-degree burns over 50% of his body surface in an industrial explosion. Abnormal vital signs include low blood pressure and tachycardia. Lab results show a high hematocrit. Urine output is low, and he is developing generalized edema. These clinical manifestations of the systemic response to the burn injury can be attributed to:
A) sick cell syndrome.
B) loss of capillary seal.
C) renal failure.
D) increased ventricular preload.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The loss of capillary seal in the burned area causes increased permeability of the capillaries, resulting in increased fluid and protein leakage into the interstitial space. This leads to decreased intravascular volume, hypotension, tachycardia, and decreased urine output. The high hematocrit is due to hemoconcentration from the loss of fluid from the intravascular space. Moreover, the generalized edema is due to the shift of fluid from the intravascular space to the interstitial space. Sick cell syndrome is not related to burns. Renal failure can be a consequence of the systemic response to burn, but it is not the primary cause of the clinical manifestations described. Increased ventricular preload is not related to the systemic response to burns.

A 28-Year-Old Male Is Admitted to the Burn Unit 2