PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What characterizes a third-degree burn?

1. Dry and blistered, painful

2. Full thickness, painless, resembles dried leather

3. Can extend into the muscle layer

4. Quickly heals without scarring

The correct answer is: Full thickness, painless, resembles dried leather

A third-degree burn is characterized by full thickness skin damage, which means it extends through the epidermis and dermis into the deeper layers of skin, potentially affecting underlying structures. The tissue in this type of burn does not have sensation, as the nerve endings are destroyed, resulting in a painless presentation. The skin may appear white, charred, or leathery in texture, resembling dried leather, which is indicative of the severity of the damage. This full-thickness damage leads to complications such as a lack of the usual protective layers of skin, increasing the risk of infection. While other types of burns present with symptoms like pain or blistering, those are not characteristics of third-degree burns. Additionally, third-degree burns typically do not heal quickly; they often require medical intervention such as skin grafting and can lead to significant scarring. Understanding these features is essential for appropriate assessment and management of burn injuries.