NSG 3113 Pathophysiology Exam 2 -
2026/2027 | Most Tested Questions &
Verified Answers | Latest Update |
Graded A+|South College
Question 1
A burn area in which the epidermis and part of the dermis is destroyed is classified
as:
A. Superficial partial-thickness (First-degree)
B. Deep partial-thickness (Second-degree)
C. Full-thickness (Third-degree)
D. Fourth-degree
Correct Answer: B. Deep partial-thickness (Second-degree)
Rationale: A deep partial-thickness burn involves destruction of the epidermis and part
of the dermis, characterized by redness, edema, blistering, and extreme pain due to
exposed nerve endings . Superficial partial-thickness burns involve only the epidermis
with little blister formation.
Question 2
A typical source of infection in burn areas is:
A. Microbes surviving in the hair follicles in the burn area
B. Opportunistic virus in the digestive tract
C. Circulating blood bringing microbes to the burn wound
D. The skin grafts themselves
Correct Answer: A. Microbes surviving in the hair follicles in the burn area
,Rationale: Hair follicles and sweat glands that survive in the burn area can serve as
reservoirs for bacteria, leading to infection. This is why burn wounds are at high risk for
infection even with proper wound care .
Question 3
A large burn area predisposes to decreased blood pressure because:
A. Vasoconstriction occurs in the burn area
B. Fluid and protein shift out of the blood into the tissues
C. The heart is damaged by toxic materials from the burn
D. Bleeding occurs under the burn surface
Correct Answer: B. Fluid and protein shift out of the blood into the tissues
Rationale: Burns cause increased capillary permeability, leading to massive fluid and
protein shift from the intravascular space into the interstitial tissues. This results in
hypovolemia, decreased blood pressure, and potential hypovolemic shock .
Question 4
Hypermetabolism is common with major burns because of: (Select All That Apply)
A. Recurrent stress response
B. Demand for tissue repair
C. Blood loss
D. Increased heat loss from the burn wound
E. Inability to consume oral nutrition
Correct Answer: A, B, D. Recurrent stress response, Demand for tissue repair, Increased
heat loss from the burn wound
Rationale: Major burns cause hypermetabolism due to the recurrent stress response,
high demand for tissue repair, and increased heat loss from the damaged skin. Energy
needs can increase 50-100% above normal . Blood loss and inability to consume oral
nutrition are consequences but not primary causes of hypermetabolism.
,Question 5
A woman has burns on the anterior surfaces of her right arm, chest, and anterior
surface of her right leg. The percentage of body surface area burned is
approximately:
A. 13.5%
B. 18%
C. 31.5%
D. 22.5%
Correct Answer: D. 22.5%
Rationale: Using the Rule of Nines: Right arm anterior = 4.5% (9% for entire arm), Chest
anterior = 9%, Right leg anterior = 9% (18% for entire leg). Total = 4.5 + 9 + 9 = 22.5% .
Question 6
The characteristic appearance of a full-thickness burn is:
A. Red with some swelling
B. Heavy bleeding
C. Painful with multiple blisters
D. Dry, firm, charred, or hard white surface
Correct Answer: D. Dry, firm, charred, or hard white surface
Rationale: Full-thickness burns involve the epidermis, entire dermis, and sometimes
subcutaneous tissue. The skin appears white, brown, black, or charred and is painless at
the site because nerve endings are destroyed .
Question 7
Which of the following is a thermal burn?
A. Burn caused by exposure to ionizing radiation
B. Burn caused by direct contact with an electrical current
C. Burn caused by flames or hot fluids
D. Burn caused by strong acids
, Correct Answer: C. Burn caused by flames or hot fluids
Rationale: Thermal burns are the most common type and are caused by flames, hot
fluids (scalds), or contact with hot surfaces . Chemical burns are caused by strong acids,
radiation burns by UV/X-rays, and electrical burns by direct current contact.
Question 8
A patient with a burn injury has singed nose hairs, soot in the mouth, and a hoarse
voice. This indicates:
A. Superficial burn
B. Inhalation injury
C. Chemical burn
D. First-degree burn
Correct Answer: B. Inhalation injury
Rationale: Singed nose hairs, soot in the mouth, hoarse voice, and coughing black
sputum indicate damage to the airway from breathing hot air or chemicals. Inhalation
injury is a critical complication of burns .
Question 9
Curling's ulcer is a stress-induced ulcer that occurs as a complication following
severe burns. It affects which organ?
A. Kidneys
B. Stomach
C. Liver
D. Lungs
Correct Answer: B. Stomach
Rationale: Curling's ulcer is a stress-induced gastric ulcer that develops in severely
burned individuals. It results from decreased blood flow to the GI tract (with >35% TBSA
burns), decreased motility, and reduced nutrient absorption .
2026/2027 | Most Tested Questions &
Verified Answers | Latest Update |
Graded A+|South College
Question 1
A burn area in which the epidermis and part of the dermis is destroyed is classified
as:
A. Superficial partial-thickness (First-degree)
B. Deep partial-thickness (Second-degree)
C. Full-thickness (Third-degree)
D. Fourth-degree
Correct Answer: B. Deep partial-thickness (Second-degree)
Rationale: A deep partial-thickness burn involves destruction of the epidermis and part
of the dermis, characterized by redness, edema, blistering, and extreme pain due to
exposed nerve endings . Superficial partial-thickness burns involve only the epidermis
with little blister formation.
Question 2
A typical source of infection in burn areas is:
A. Microbes surviving in the hair follicles in the burn area
B. Opportunistic virus in the digestive tract
C. Circulating blood bringing microbes to the burn wound
D. The skin grafts themselves
Correct Answer: A. Microbes surviving in the hair follicles in the burn area
,Rationale: Hair follicles and sweat glands that survive in the burn area can serve as
reservoirs for bacteria, leading to infection. This is why burn wounds are at high risk for
infection even with proper wound care .
Question 3
A large burn area predisposes to decreased blood pressure because:
A. Vasoconstriction occurs in the burn area
B. Fluid and protein shift out of the blood into the tissues
C. The heart is damaged by toxic materials from the burn
D. Bleeding occurs under the burn surface
Correct Answer: B. Fluid and protein shift out of the blood into the tissues
Rationale: Burns cause increased capillary permeability, leading to massive fluid and
protein shift from the intravascular space into the interstitial tissues. This results in
hypovolemia, decreased blood pressure, and potential hypovolemic shock .
Question 4
Hypermetabolism is common with major burns because of: (Select All That Apply)
A. Recurrent stress response
B. Demand for tissue repair
C. Blood loss
D. Increased heat loss from the burn wound
E. Inability to consume oral nutrition
Correct Answer: A, B, D. Recurrent stress response, Demand for tissue repair, Increased
heat loss from the burn wound
Rationale: Major burns cause hypermetabolism due to the recurrent stress response,
high demand for tissue repair, and increased heat loss from the damaged skin. Energy
needs can increase 50-100% above normal . Blood loss and inability to consume oral
nutrition are consequences but not primary causes of hypermetabolism.
,Question 5
A woman has burns on the anterior surfaces of her right arm, chest, and anterior
surface of her right leg. The percentage of body surface area burned is
approximately:
A. 13.5%
B. 18%
C. 31.5%
D. 22.5%
Correct Answer: D. 22.5%
Rationale: Using the Rule of Nines: Right arm anterior = 4.5% (9% for entire arm), Chest
anterior = 9%, Right leg anterior = 9% (18% for entire leg). Total = 4.5 + 9 + 9 = 22.5% .
Question 6
The characteristic appearance of a full-thickness burn is:
A. Red with some swelling
B. Heavy bleeding
C. Painful with multiple blisters
D. Dry, firm, charred, or hard white surface
Correct Answer: D. Dry, firm, charred, or hard white surface
Rationale: Full-thickness burns involve the epidermis, entire dermis, and sometimes
subcutaneous tissue. The skin appears white, brown, black, or charred and is painless at
the site because nerve endings are destroyed .
Question 7
Which of the following is a thermal burn?
A. Burn caused by exposure to ionizing radiation
B. Burn caused by direct contact with an electrical current
C. Burn caused by flames or hot fluids
D. Burn caused by strong acids
, Correct Answer: C. Burn caused by flames or hot fluids
Rationale: Thermal burns are the most common type and are caused by flames, hot
fluids (scalds), or contact with hot surfaces . Chemical burns are caused by strong acids,
radiation burns by UV/X-rays, and electrical burns by direct current contact.
Question 8
A patient with a burn injury has singed nose hairs, soot in the mouth, and a hoarse
voice. This indicates:
A. Superficial burn
B. Inhalation injury
C. Chemical burn
D. First-degree burn
Correct Answer: B. Inhalation injury
Rationale: Singed nose hairs, soot in the mouth, hoarse voice, and coughing black
sputum indicate damage to the airway from breathing hot air or chemicals. Inhalation
injury is a critical complication of burns .
Question 9
Curling's ulcer is a stress-induced ulcer that occurs as a complication following
severe burns. It affects which organ?
A. Kidneys
B. Stomach
C. Liver
D. Lungs
Correct Answer: B. Stomach
Rationale: Curling's ulcer is a stress-induced gastric ulcer that develops in severely
burned individuals. It results from decreased blood flow to the GI tract (with >35% TBSA
burns), decreased motility, and reduced nutrient absorption .
