NCLEX-RN® Question of the Day: Burn injury

Today’s NCLEX-RN® question of the day focuses on a client who sustained a burn injury from excessive sunlight exposure. The nurse should expect the health care provider to diagnose the client with which type of burn? Can you figure it out?

The nurse is caring for a client who sustained a burn injury from excessive exposure to sunlight. The nurse should expect the health care provider to diagnose the client with which type of burn?

A. Thermal

B. Electrical

C. Radiation

D. ChemicalScroll down for the correct answer!

The correct answer to today’s NCLEX-RN® Question is…

C. Radiation

Rationale: A radiation burn can be caused by exposure to UV radiation from the sun or radiotherapy. This client’s burn is a radiation burn.

Major Takeaway

Burn injuries can be classified based on the cause. The most common cause is thermal burns, which can result from scalds from hot liquids or steam, open flames, house fires, or direct contact when a hot object like oven doors or cookware is touched. Less commonly, there are electrical burns from exposure to a lightning strike or high-voltage electrical current and chemical burns from exposure to chemical substances like acid or alkaline chemicals. Finally, there are radiation burns, which can be caused by UV radiation from the sun or radiotherapy. 

Incorrect answer explanations

A. Thermal

Rationale: Thermal burns are caused by scalds from hot liquids, steam, open flames, or by direct contact with hot objects. This client’s burn is not a thermal burn.

B. Electrical

Rationale: An electrical burn can be caused by a lightning strike or high-voltage electrical current exposure. This client’s burn is not an electrical burn. 

D. Chemical

Rationale: A chemical burn can be caused by exposure to chemical substances like acid or alkaline chemicals. This client’s burn is not a chemical burn.                                                         ________________________

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