Burns

Last updated: Monday, 26, July, 2010
ComplicationsAppropriate Tests

For major burn injury, where admission to hospital is necessary: wound (burns) swab; electrolytes, creatinine, urea, glucose; FBC, blood group and blood group antibody screen.

If skin grafting will be necessary: hepatitis B virus testing, hepatitis C virus testing, HIV antibodies (with consent and counselling).

Dehydration

Malnutrition

Infection

Septicaemia

Blood culture; intravenous catheter tip culture; wound swab of intravenous catheter site.
  • Bacterial

Wound swab (burns).

Organisms of particular pathogenicity include Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

  • Fungal
Wound swab (burns), especially for Candida albicans.
  • Viral
Virus detection, culture if eg, Herpes simplex infection is suspected.