Burns can be caused by fire, the sun, chemicals, heated objects or fluids, and electricity. They can be minor problems or life-threatening emergencies. Distinguishing a minor burn from a more serious burn involves determining the degree of damage to the tissues of the body. If you are not sure how serious the burn is, seek emergency medical help. First-degree burns are those in which only the outer layer of skin is burned. The skin is usually red and some swelling (肿大) and pain may occur. Unless the burn involves large portions of the body, it can be treated at home. Second-degree burns are those in which the first layer of skin has been burned through and the second layer of skin is also burned. In these burns, the skin reddens intensely and blisters (水泡) develop. Severe pain and swelling also occur. Second-degree burns require medical treatment. Third-degree burns are the most serious and involve all layers of skin. Fat, nerves, muscles, and even bones may be affected. Areas may be charred black or appear a dry white. If nerve damage is substantial, there may be no pain at all. These burns require emergency medical attention. Follow these steps when treating minor burns at home: 1) If the skin is not broken, run cool water over the burn for several minutes. 2) Cover the burn with a sterile (消过毒的) bandage or clean cloth. 3) Take aspirin to relieve any swelling or pain. Seek emergency treatment immediately for major burns. Before an emergency unit arrives, follow these steps: 1) Remove the person from the source of the burn (fire, electrical current, etc.). 2) If the person is not breathing, begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (人工呼吸) immediately. 3) Remove all clothing to stop further burning. If the clothing is stuck to the burn, do not attempt to remove it. 4) Cover the burned area with a cool, moist, sterile bandage or clean cloth. Do not place any creams, ointments (药膏) or ice on the burned area or break blisters. 5) Monitor the patient for signs of shock, and treat accordingly. 小题1:The underlined sentence in the first paragraph probably means “______”. A. They can be dangerous if you don’t treat them seriously B. They range from slight burns to deadly ones C. They seldom cause deaths even if not treated properly D. They usually cause deaths if not treated properly 小题2:Burns are divided into different degrees according to _______.
|