Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 21, 2026
A Standardized Procedure of Dressing Management for Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Published on: March 14, 2025
Nursing problems in patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome in a Dutch burn centre: A
N Trommel1, H W Hofland2, R S van Komen1
1Burn Centre, Maasstad Hospital, P.O. Box 9100, 3007 AC Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Objective:
Multiple studies have been published on toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnsen syndrome (SJS). Nursing care is an important part of the treatment of TEN patients. Unfortunately, limited information on nursing in TEN/SJS patients has been published in the current literature. Nursing research is needed to improve the complex nursing care required for these rare patients. Therefore, the objective was to assess nursing problems in TEN patients in a burn centre setting over a 30-year period.
Methods:
The data for this study were gathered retrospectively from nursing records of all patients with TEN/SJS admitted to Burn Centre Rotterdam between January 1987 and December 2016. Dutch burn centres were recently accepted as expertise centres for TEN patients. Nursing problems were classified using the classification of nursing problems of the Dutch Nursing Society.
Results:
A total of 69 patients were admitted with SJS/TEN. Fifty-nine patient files were available. The most frequently reported nursing problems (>20% of the patients) were wounds, threatened or disrupted vital functions, dehydration or fluid imbalance, pain, secretion problems and fever. Furthermore, TEN-specific nursing problems were documented, including oral mucosal lesions and ocular problems. The highest number of concomitant nursing problems occurred during the period between days three and 20 after onset of the disease and varied by nursing problem.
Conclusions:
The most frequently reported nursing problems involved physical functions, especially on days three to 20 after onset of the disease. With this knowledge, we can start nursing interventions early in the treatment, address problems at the first sign and inform patients and their families or relatives of these issues early in the disease process. A next step to improve nursing care for TEN patients is to acquire knowledge on the optimal interventions for nursing problems.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Acute Coronary Syndrome V: Nursing Management
01:24Nephrotic Syndrome III : Nursing Management
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome III: Medical and Nursing Management
01:22Burn Injuries
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
01:24Nursing Process for Patient and Caregiver Teaching II: Planning and Implementation
01:24Nursing Process for Patient and Caregiver Teaching I: Assessment and Diagnosis
It is critical to determine the patient's learning needs during the assessment. Determination of learning needs compounds data...