title: Toxic epidermal necrolysis.
abstract: To improve the past statistics of high mortality and morbidity in patients with TEN, definitive measures are required. Early referral and transfer to a burn center and withholding or withdrawing steroid therapy are two crucial factors. Therapeutic goals must be directed toward promotion of wound healing; correction of fluid and electrolyte abnormalities; provision of pulmonary care; prevention or correction of thermal disturbances; control of pain; prevention of physiologic and psychologic disabilities, which may hamper the return to activities of daily living; and above all, prevention of sepsis through protective isolation and refraining from use of invasive lines and catheters. Wound healing is best supported through gentle cleansing with physiologic saline; application of biologic or synthetic skin dressings or silver nitrate dressings; hourly eye care; nutritional support; and avoidance of infection or further injury of the dermis. Collaboration and teamwork by all health care providers are essential, and the quality of intensive nursing care makes the critical difference.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: DePew
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols; D006801:Humans; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D013262:Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy