A patient with full-thickness circumferential burns to the left arm is in need of an escharotomy. The nurse understands that the desired outcome of this procedure is:

Explanation

• Escharotomies are performed when circumferential burns compromise circulation to the extremity.

• An incision is made down the affected extremity to relieve pressure caused by edema. The depth of the incision is limited to the eschar tissue.

• Reduced edema is an outcome of escharotomies, but edema alone does not require an escharotomy.

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