need help on CBC and differential test on a burn patient

[nursingstudent_2012]

Hello everyone. I'm new here and obviously needs help. This is one of weaknesses. Why does a burn patient need CBC with differential test? I understand the WBC part of it of course because burn patients are highly susceptible to infection due to open wounds. But what about the hematocrit and hemoglobin? What actually is happening in the body that makes it important to have a differential testing? Is this mandatory on a patient with only 18% burn injury or is there a minimum amount of tissue damage that the patient needs to have to have a mandatory CBC with differential test done?

[laurenicoleRN]

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/cbc/test.html

go to this website! it says it better than i could

[nursingstudent_2012]

Thanks I've actually seen this website but it didn't help me much as it didn't explain what was happening in the body that warrants a CBC test.

[leslie :-D]

depending on the stage of treatment, hemoconcentration or hemodilution, are both worrisome...

and warrant close monitoring, w/subsequent, indicated intervention.

leslie

[lkwashington]

I see you posting two question pertaining to burn patients such blood work and iv fluids. It may be good ideal to use the web to find good information for you homework.

[enigmaticorange]

You may want to look up more information on the disease process of a burn. This alone should explain a lot, including infection and differentials as well as hemoconcentration/dilution.

[nursingstudent_2012]

You may want to look up more information on the disease process of a burn. This alone should explain a lot, including infection and differentials as well as hemoconcentration/dilution.

thanks for the advise. I actually did that plus read my textbook but i should probably read some more about burn.