During the flow phase after burns, which element is excreted at higher rates?

During the flow phase after burns, which element is excreted at higher rates?

• A. Nitrogen
• B. Iron
• C. Calcium
• D. Sodium

Answer: (A)

In the flow (hypermetabolic) phase after burns, the body dramatically increases protein breakdown to supply amino acids for wound healing, immune response, and energy. This accelerated proteolysis drives more nitrogen to be converted to urea and excreted in urine, so nitrogen loss becomes markedly higher. Sodium losses are more tied to early edema and leak from damaged skin, while calcium and iron are affected by other processes, but the dominant increase in excretion during this phase is nitrogen due to the big rise in protein catabolism.

In the flow (hypermetabolic) phase after burns, the body dramatically increases protein breakdown to supply amino acids for wound healing, immune response, and energy. This accelerated proteolysis drives more nitrogen to be converted to urea and excreted in urine, so nitrogen loss becomes markedly higher. Sodium losses are more tied to early edema and leak from damaged skin, while calcium and iron are affected by other processes, but the dominant increase in excretion during this phase is nitrogen due to the big rise in protein catabolism.