Case Studies #1: Mr. MacPherson Mr. MacPherson came into the ER with burns on both of his arms and hands and on his face as the result of a grease fire in his kitchen. He complained of severe pain. His burns showed signs of blistering, swelling and fluid loss. According to the “rule of nines” (Thibodeau & Patton, 2010), it appears this patient has suffered burns over approximately 14% of his body surface (4.5% for each arm and 4.5% face for a total of 13.5%). These would be classified as second-degree burns (“Types of burns”, 2012) which involve the first two layers of skin and show signs of pain and blistering of which Mr. MacPherson complained.
As a note of comparison, first-degree burns involve the top layer of skin, such as in sun-burn, and show signs of reddening, painful to touch, and mild swelling. Third-degree burns penetrate the entire thickness of skin and permanently destroy tissue layers, resulting in skin that is dry and leathery, appearing charred or having patches which appear white, brown, or black. Remarkably third-degree burns are often painless, although pain may be caused by patches of first- and second-degree burns which often surround third-degree burns (“Types of burns”, 2012).
Case Studies #2: Margie
Margie, who plays center on the women’s varsity basketball tem, complains that her knee is very sore and she felt a “pop” during a scrimmage tumble. Her knee, the largest and most vul-nerable joint in her body, buckles under her weight.
The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is part of a complicated network of tendons and ligaments that help stabilize and support the knee (Knee Injury, 2012). These structures are par-ticularly vulnerable to injury during athletic activity or as the result of impact, just as Margie ex-perienced. Giving way, or a feeling of instability of the knee, or popping or grinding in the knee is