Physiologic response to burn injury

The physiologic response to bum injury is complex. Understanding the various components is important for the care and treatment of the critically injured bum patient. Because these injuries are nondiscriminatory and occur across the lifespan, patient characteristics and responses are highly variable. This diversity allows the critical care nurse to use a wide array of clinical skills. Care of the bum patient is rewarding because the critical care nurse plays an important role from the acute phase through the rehabilitative phase of injury.