A 4-year-old child with a burn injury has entered the catabolic flow phase. What assessment would the healthcare provider correlate with this situation?
A)Oxygen saturation normal on room air
B)7 pound weight loss in 1 week
C)Capillary refill

Question

A 4-year-old child with a burn injury has entered the catabolic flow phase. What assessment would the healthcare provider correlate with this situation?
A)Oxygen saturation normal on room air
B)7 pound weight loss in 1 week
C)Capillary refill <2 sec
D)Blood pressure 89/56 mmHg

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

After the resolution of the shock and the restoration of circulating volume, the metabolic response shifts to a catabolic (flow) phase. A state of hypermetabolism ensues characterized by elevation of catecholamines which are insulin antagonists. Glycogen stores in the child are limited leading to a state of prolonged metabolic dysfunction, the end result of which is loss of lean body mass. The professional would assess the child as being in this phase with a documented weight loss. Oxygen saturation would not give information about oxygen consumption which is elevated in the phase. A capillary refill of <2 sec is normal as is the blood pressure for a 4-year-old.

A 4-Year-Old Child with a Burn Injury Has Entered the Catabolic