What is one of the major complications of extensive burns?

Extensive burns lead to significant damage to the skin, which is crucial for maintaining the body’s fluid balance. When large areas of skin are burned, this can result in substantial fluid loss from the exposed tissues. The skin acts as a barrier to prevent the escape of fluids, and when that barrier is compromised, the body can lose large volumes of plasma and fluids through the burned areas. This fluid loss can lead to hypovolemia, a condition characterized by a decrease in blood volume, which can severely impact circulation and organ function.

In severe cases, the fluid loss can lead to complications such as shock and even renal failure if not promptly managed. Managing fluid resuscitation is therefore a crucial aspect of the acute care of burn victims to prevent these serious complications and stabilize the patient’s condition. Other options, while potentially occurring in burn situations, do not address the predominant issue arising from the immediate physiological effects of extensive burns as effectively as fluid loss does.