During a severe burn injury, which of the following substances is expected to elevate?

During a severe burn injury, which of the following substances is expected to elevate?

• A. Glucose
• B. Potassium
• C. Sodium
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

In the context of a severe burn injury, the body undergoes significant physiological changes as part of the stress response to trauma. One notable change is the elevation of glucose levels in the blood. Severe burns trigger the release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which increase gluconeogenesis (the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources) and hepatic glycogenolysis (the breakdown of stored glycogen), thus leading to hyperglycemia. Additionally, potassium levels are typically elevated in the blood following a severe burn injury due to cellular damage. When tissues are injured, especially in the case of burns where the integrity of cell membranes is compromised, potassium ions that are normally contained within cells leak into the extracellular space and subsequently into the bloodstream, causing hyperkalemia. Sodium levels can also fluctuate in response to a burn injury. There is often a redistribution of fluids and electrolytes following significant burns. Although sodium may not always experience a marked rise, burn injuries can disrupt the body’s fluid balance, and in some cases, sodium levels may be elevated due to the loss of intravascular volume and subsequent compensatory mechanisms. Therefore, during a severe burn injury, it is expected that glucose, potassium, and sodium levels can all elevate due to

In the context of a severe burn injury, the body undergoes significant physiological changes as part of the stress response to trauma. One notable change is the elevation of glucose levels in the blood. Severe burns trigger the release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which increase gluconeogenesis (the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources) and hepatic glycogenolysis (the breakdown of stored glycogen), thus leading to hyperglycemia.

Additionally, potassium levels are typically elevated in the blood following a severe burn injury due to cellular damage. When tissues are injured, especially in the case of burns where the integrity of cell membranes is compromised, potassium ions that are normally contained within cells leak into the extracellular space and subsequently into the bloodstream, causing hyperkalemia.

Sodium levels can also fluctuate in response to a burn injury. There is often a redistribution of fluids and electrolytes following significant burns. Although sodium may not always experience a marked rise, burn injuries can disrupt the body’s fluid balance, and in some cases, sodium levels may be elevated due to the loss of intravascular volume and subsequent compensatory mechanisms.

Therefore, during a severe burn injury, it is expected that glucose, potassium, and sodium levels can all elevate due to