PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What characterizes a first-degree burn?

1. Painful, dry, red areas that blister

2. Painless, like dried leather

3. Only the epidermis is affected, painful, dry, red areas that do not blister

4. Involvement of bone or muscle

The correct answer is: Only the epidermis is affected, painful, dry, red areas that do not blister

A first-degree burn is characterized by the involvement of only the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin. This type of burn is often painful and presents with dry, red areas. The skin may feel tender to the touch, and while it does exhibit redness indicating inflammation, it does not form blisters, which distinguishes it from more severe burns. The pain associated with a first-degree burn is due to the exposure of nerve endings in the epidermis, which are sensitive to thermal injury. The dry texture is a result of the damage to the skin, leading to a loss of moisture without the production of blisters that occurs in second-degree burns. Importantly, since only the epidermis is involved, these burns usually heal quickly within a few days without long-term damage or scarring. This understanding of the characteristics of first-degree burns is essential in clinical practice for assessing and managing burn injuries effectively.