Glossary M - R  MacFarlane mouth splintA mouth splint custom made by a dentist. It is used to keep the mouth from shrinking. Mature graft or donor site A graft or donor site that is done healing. A mature site has faded to a more normal color and it usually does not itch anymore. Mature graft or donor skin does not look exactly like unburned skin - and it never will. Medicine A drug or other substance used to prevent or cure disease or to relieve pain. Melanin Pigment in the skin that gives brown and black tones. Melanin makes a kind of screen that keeps out some the burning sunlight. Meshed graft Making tiny slits or cuts into the donor skin. A meshed graft may be stretched to allow it to cover a larger area than it came from. Methodone A medicine that relieves pain. Morphine A medicine that relieves pain and makes you sleepy. Nasal cannula A type of breathing mask for oxygen. A small plastic tube blows small amounts of oxygen directly into the nose. Nasogastric tube (NG tube) The NG tube goes into the nose or mouth and down to the stomach. This tube pulls the juices out of the stomach so a person doesn't get sick and throw up. Nurse A person who is trained to take care of sick people and to teach them how to stay healthy. Operating rooms (OR) An OR is also called a surgery room. It is a very clean (sterile) room where skin graft surgeries take place. Occupational therapist A person who is trained in rehabilitation. Occupational therapists are knowledgeable about using activity, exercise, splints and positioning to help a person with burns get well. Operating room nurse A nurse who helps with surgery. Oximeter The oximeter looks like a band aid. It is usually placed on a toe or a finger. An oximeter registers a number on a machine. This number tells us if there is enough oxygen in the body. Oxygen mask A mask that fits over the nose and the mouth and gives oxygen. Percocet Medication that relieves pain and can make you sleepy.  PerspirationMoisture that is given off through the pores of the skin; sweat. Physical therapist A person who is trained in rehabilitation. Physical therapists are knowledgeable about using activity, exercise, splints and positioning that will help a person with burns get well. Pigmentation Any coloring matter in skin tissues. Positioning The way in which a person or thing is placed or arranged. The goals of positioning for a person with a burn injury are to 1) reduce swelling 2) and to make it as easy as possible to maintain and regain normal motions after a burn. Pulse The rhythmic beat of the arteries caused by the beating of the heart. When our heart beats, blood is pumped out into the arteries. The arteries are stretched and bulge out with each heart beat. This can be felt in places where arteries are close to the skin...we call this a pulse. Resident surgeon A doctor who is training to become a surgeon. Resting hand splint A hand splint is used to support the hand and wrist joints and to help them heal without contracting so that a deformity does not develop. |
||
|