Postoperative nursing care of the burn patient

Once surgery is completed for the burn patient, procedures and assessments begin. This can be complex and challenging for the nurse caring for the patient during the immediate postoperative period. The nurse is responsible for individualized care of the patient which depends on the site and extent of excision and grafting. Nurses caring for the burn patient must be knowledgeable of the medications and procedures used during surgery to provide appropriate safety and environmental considerations postoperatively. Priority issues and care will change as the patient moves through the postoperative period.