The nurse is assessing a patient who was burned lighting a charcoal grill and is in severe pain. The nurse notes blistering red, moist skin. How should the nurse classify this burn?

Question

A) Superficial
B) Superficial partial thickness
C) Deep partial thickness
D) Full thickness

Answer 1

B) Superficial partial thickness

Explanation: A) Superficial injury (formerly known as a first-degree burn) involves damage to the epidermal layer of skin, such as a sunburn.
B) Partial thickness burn injuries (formerly known as second-degree burns) are further classified as superficial partial thickness burns or deep partial thickness burns. In superficial partial thickness burns, the epidermis and the papillary dermis are burned. Blistering usually occurs, and the dermis is red and moist with good capillary refill. These burns are very painful.
C) Deep partial thickness burns involve damage to the epidermis, papillary dermis, and reticular layer of the dermis. Skin is usually blistered, and the exposed dermis is whitish to yellow, does not blanch, and does not have good capillary refill. There is usually no pain sensation to the area of deep partial thickness burns.
D) A full thickness burn (formerly known as a third degree burn) involves injury to epidermal, all the dermal layers and structures, and subcutaneous tissues. Full-thickness burns may even extend into muscle, bone, or organs. The skin is charred, pale, and painless and has a leathery appearance. There is no capillary refill and no blanching.