A client with partial-thickness burns over 40% of the body is likely to lose body fluid via: (Select all that apply.)

Question

1. Water vapor that is lost through the skin that is burned
2. Plasma and interstitial fluids that are lost as burn exudate
3. Blood leakage via damaged capillaries in the dermis
4. Respiratory acidosis resulting from altered respiratory function
5. Plasma that leaves the intravascular space and becomes trapped in blisters
6. Sodium and water shift that out of the vessels because of increased permeability

Answer 1

ANS: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
The greater the body surface burned, the greater the fluid loss. The burned client loses body flu-ids by one of five routes. First, plasma leaves the intravascular space and becomes trapped ede-ma. This is also called the plasma-to-interstitial fluid shift. It is accompanied by a loss of serum proteins. Second, plasma and interstitial fluids are lost as burn exudate. Third, water vapor and heat are lost in proportion to the amount of skin that is burned. Fourth, blood leaks from dam-aged capillaries, adding to the intravascular fluid volume loss. Finally, sodium and water shift into the cells, further compromising extracellular fluid volume.