Today’s NCLEX-RN® question of the day focuses on burns. Do you know the answer? Let’s find out!
The nurse in the burn unit is caring for two patients, one with a first-degree burn and another with a second-degree burn.
The nurse understands that these patients’ burns are classified based on what information?
A. Depth of the burn
B. Cause of the burn
C. Location of the burn
D. Treatment of the burn
Scroll down for the correct answer!
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The correct answer to today’s NCLEX-RN® Question is…
A. Depth of the burn
Rationale: Burns can be classified depending on the depth of the burn with lower numbers indicating a shallower depth of burn and higher numbers indicating that deeper tissues are involved. Thus, second degree burns are deeper than first degree burns.
Main Takeaway
Burn injuries can be classified based on the degree and severity. The higher degree in a burn’s classification indicates the depth of tissue affected. Superficial burns, also known as first-degree burns, involve just the epidermal layer of the skin. Next are superficial and deep partial thickness burns, also known as second-degree burns. Superficial partial thickness burns involve the epidermis and the top layer of the dermis, producing a moist, painful, pinkish-red wound with clear, fluid-filled blisters. Deep partial-thickness burns affect most of the dermis. Full thickness burns, or third-degree burns, extend through all layers of the skin and affect the subcutaneous tissue. These burns are often painless, and the skin can have a dry, leathery appearance, with absent blanching. Finally, if the injury extends to the underlying tissue like muscle, tendons, or bones, the full thickness burns are referred to as fourth-degree burns.
Incorrect Answer Explanations
B. Cause of the burn
Rationale: Although burn injuries can be classified based on cause, cause alone does not distinguish a first-degree burn from a second-degree burn.
C. Location of the burn
Rationale: Although burns can be described based on location, location alone does not differentiate a first-degree burn from a second-degree burn.
D. Treatment of the burn
Rationale: Although treatment of a burn can depend on its classification; burns are not classified based on their treatment.
Want to learn more about this topic?
Watch the Osmosis video: Burn injury: Nursing
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