The patient with a major burn injury is removed of clothing to permit the full extent of the burn to be assessed. At all times the patient must be kept warm by covering areas of skin which are not being examined. Jewellery and watches are removed to prevent them from acting as potential tourniquets as the underlying skin expands.
The patient is log-rolled to expose the back. A standard ATLS examination is carried out with a mind to possible spinal damage from trauma.
The depth and extent of burns are estimated - see submenu.
With exposure of all the skin surface, the potential need for an escharotomy can be judged.
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