Elevated catecholamines and elevated or normal plasma insulin are observed during which phase after burn injury?

Elevated catecholamines and elevated or normal plasma insulin are observed during which phase after burn injury?

• A. The ebb phase
• B. In the acute phase of the flow response
• C. The adaptive phase
• D. Recovery phase

Answer: (B)

After a burn, the body moves from an initial ebb phase with low metabolic activity to a flow phase marked by a hypermetabolic state driven by the sympathetic response. In this flow phase, catecholamines rise markedly, fueling increased energy expenditure, protein breakdown, and glucose production. Plasma insulin can be elevated as part of the acute stress response, or remain normal because tissues become resistant to insulin during this time. This combination—high catecholamines with elevated or normal insulin—fits the acute phase of the flow response, reflecting the immediate, stress-driven metabolic surge rather than the low-activity ebb phase or the later adaptive and recovery phases.

After a burn, the body moves from an initial ebb phase with low metabolic activity to a flow phase marked by a hypermetabolic state driven by the sympathetic response. In this flow phase, catecholamines rise markedly, fueling increased energy expenditure, protein breakdown, and glucose production. Plasma insulin can be elevated as part of the acute stress response, or remain normal because tissues become resistant to insulin during this time. This combination—high catecholamines with elevated or normal insulin—fits the acute phase of the flow response, reflecting the immediate, stress-driven metabolic surge rather than the low-activity ebb phase or the later adaptive and recovery phases.