The nurse is classifying a patient's burn injuries. What information should the nurse assess to ensure this classification is correct?

Question

Select all that apply.
1. depth of the burn
2. extent of burns on the body
3. causative agent and duration of exposure
4. location of burns on the body
5. time that the burns occurred

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1, 2, 3, 4
The depth of the burn (layers of underlying tissue affected) and extent of the burn (percentage of body surface area involved) are used in determining the amount of tissue damage and classification of the burn. Burn depth results from a combination of the temperature of the burning agent and the length of contact. The causative agent is especially important with burns caused by chemicals such as strong acids or alkaline agents. The location of the burns on the body is one of the important determinants of classification. For example, burns of the face and hands are always considered major burns. Time of occurrence of the burn is not necessary for classification.