Immediately after a severe burn, what is the essential nutritional therapy?

After a severe burn, the body's immediate priority shifts to fluid and electrolyte replacement. This is essential because burns can lead to significant fluid loss due to damage to the skin's protective barrier, resulting in a risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. The severity of the burn influences the extent of fluid loss; therefore, rapidly restoring fluids is crucial for maintaining blood volume, tissue perfusion, and supporting the recovery process.

The need for calorie and protein intake does increase during the recovery phase due to heightened metabolic demands and tissue healing requirements, but those are secondary to the immediate necessity of stabilizing the patient's hydration status. Additionally, vitamins and minerals are important for overall healing, but fluid and electrolytes must first be addressed to prevent complications such as shock. Thus, effective nutritional therapy after a severe burn initially focuses on fluid and electrolyte replacement before other nutritional needs are fully addressed.