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Nursing 354 Burns Nursing Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
1. A nurse is assessing a patient immediately after a thermal burn. Which
finding requires the highest priority assessment?
A. Blisters on the forearm
B. Severe pain at the burn site
C. Hoarseness and soot around the mouth
D. Redness over the chest
Answer: Hoarseness and soot around the mouth
Rationale: Hoarseness and soot around the mouth suggest inhalation injury,
which can rapidly cause airway edema and obstruction. Airway assessment and
protection are the immediate priorities.
2. Which burn depth involves only the epidermis?
A. Full-thickness
B. Superficial
C. Deep partial-thickness
D. Fourth-degree
Answer: Superficial
,Rationale: A superficial burn affects only the epidermis and is typically painful,
red, dry, and without blisters.
3. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of a superficial partial-
thickness burn?
A. Dry, leathery skin
B. Painless white tissue
C. Moist, blistered, painful tissue
D. Charred muscle and bone
Answer: Moist, blistered, painful tissue
Rationale: Superficial partial-thickness burns involve the epidermis and upper
dermis and commonly produce blisters, moisture, erythema, and significant
pain.
4. A patient has a circumferential full-thickness burn of the chest. Which
complication should the nurse monitor for most closely?
A. Impaired chest expansion
B. Increased bowel sounds
C. Hyperactive reflexes
D. Increased urine output
Answer: Impaired chest expansion
Rationale: Circumferential burns of the chest can restrict chest-wall movement
and impair ventilation. Escharotomy may be required if respiratory mechanics
become compromised.
5. Which method is commonly used to estimate the percentage of total body
surface area burned in adults?
A. Glasgow Coma Scale
B. Rule of Nines
C. Apgar score
D. Braden Scale
,Answer: Rule of Nines
Rationale: The adult Rule of Nines divides the body into regions representing
approximately 9% or multiples of 9% of total body surface area.
6. A patient has burns involving the entire right arm. Using the adult Rule of
Nines, approximately what percentage of total body surface area is
involved?
A. 4.5%
B. 9%
C. 18%
D. 27%
Answer: 9%
Rationale: In adults, one entire arm represents approximately 9% of total body
surface area.
7. Which finding is most consistent with a full-thickness burn?
A. Red, painful skin without blisters
B. Moist pink tissue with severe pain
C. White or leathery tissue with decreased sensation
D. Mild erythema that blanches with pressure
Answer: White or leathery tissue with decreased sensation
Rationale: Full-thickness burns destroy the epidermis and dermis and may
damage deeper structures. The tissue can appear white, brown, or leathery, and
sensation may be reduced because nerve endings are destroyed.
8. What is the priority intervention for a patient with a suspected inhalation
injury?
A. Apply topical antibiotic ointment
B. Assess and maintain the airway
C. Encourage oral fluids
D. Apply a dry dressing
, Answer: Assess and maintain the airway
Rationale: Airway edema can progress rapidly after inhalation injury. Early
airway assessment and intervention are essential.
9. Which finding is particularly concerning for carbon monoxide poisoning
after a house fire?
A. Cherry-red skin
B. Bradycardia with hypertension
C. Low oxygen saturation only
D. Increased bowel sounds
Answer: Cherry-red skin
Rationale: Carbon monoxide poisoning can produce a characteristic cherry-red
appearance, although this finding is not always present. Co-oximetry is more
reliable for diagnosis.
10.Which laboratory test is particularly useful for evaluating carbon monoxide
exposure?
A. Serum sodium
B. Carboxyhemoglobin level
C. Serum calcium
D. Hemoglobin A1c
Answer: Carboxyhemoglobin level
Rationale: Carboxyhemoglobin levels help assess carbon monoxide exposure
because carbon monoxide binds strongly to hemoglobin and interferes with
oxygen delivery.
11.A patient with a major burn is in the acute resuscitation phase. Which
finding best indicates adequate renal perfusion?
A. Urine output of approximately 0.5 mL/kg/hr in an adult
B. Dark amber urine every 8 hours
Nursing 354 Burns Nursing Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
1. A nurse is assessing a patient immediately after a thermal burn. Which
finding requires the highest priority assessment?
A. Blisters on the forearm
B. Severe pain at the burn site
C. Hoarseness and soot around the mouth
D. Redness over the chest
Answer: Hoarseness and soot around the mouth
Rationale: Hoarseness and soot around the mouth suggest inhalation injury,
which can rapidly cause airway edema and obstruction. Airway assessment and
protection are the immediate priorities.
2. Which burn depth involves only the epidermis?
A. Full-thickness
B. Superficial
C. Deep partial-thickness
D. Fourth-degree
Answer: Superficial
,Rationale: A superficial burn affects only the epidermis and is typically painful,
red, dry, and without blisters.
3. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of a superficial partial-
thickness burn?
A. Dry, leathery skin
B. Painless white tissue
C. Moist, blistered, painful tissue
D. Charred muscle and bone
Answer: Moist, blistered, painful tissue
Rationale: Superficial partial-thickness burns involve the epidermis and upper
dermis and commonly produce blisters, moisture, erythema, and significant
pain.
4. A patient has a circumferential full-thickness burn of the chest. Which
complication should the nurse monitor for most closely?
A. Impaired chest expansion
B. Increased bowel sounds
C. Hyperactive reflexes
D. Increased urine output
Answer: Impaired chest expansion
Rationale: Circumferential burns of the chest can restrict chest-wall movement
and impair ventilation. Escharotomy may be required if respiratory mechanics
become compromised.
5. Which method is commonly used to estimate the percentage of total body
surface area burned in adults?
A. Glasgow Coma Scale
B. Rule of Nines
C. Apgar score
D. Braden Scale
,Answer: Rule of Nines
Rationale: The adult Rule of Nines divides the body into regions representing
approximately 9% or multiples of 9% of total body surface area.
6. A patient has burns involving the entire right arm. Using the adult Rule of
Nines, approximately what percentage of total body surface area is
involved?
A. 4.5%
B. 9%
C. 18%
D. 27%
Answer: 9%
Rationale: In adults, one entire arm represents approximately 9% of total body
surface area.
7. Which finding is most consistent with a full-thickness burn?
A. Red, painful skin without blisters
B. Moist pink tissue with severe pain
C. White or leathery tissue with decreased sensation
D. Mild erythema that blanches with pressure
Answer: White or leathery tissue with decreased sensation
Rationale: Full-thickness burns destroy the epidermis and dermis and may
damage deeper structures. The tissue can appear white, brown, or leathery, and
sensation may be reduced because nerve endings are destroyed.
8. What is the priority intervention for a patient with a suspected inhalation
injury?
A. Apply topical antibiotic ointment
B. Assess and maintain the airway
C. Encourage oral fluids
D. Apply a dry dressing
, Answer: Assess and maintain the airway
Rationale: Airway edema can progress rapidly after inhalation injury. Early
airway assessment and intervention are essential.
9. Which finding is particularly concerning for carbon monoxide poisoning
after a house fire?
A. Cherry-red skin
B. Bradycardia with hypertension
C. Low oxygen saturation only
D. Increased bowel sounds
Answer: Cherry-red skin
Rationale: Carbon monoxide poisoning can produce a characteristic cherry-red
appearance, although this finding is not always present. Co-oximetry is more
reliable for diagnosis.
10.Which laboratory test is particularly useful for evaluating carbon monoxide
exposure?
A. Serum sodium
B. Carboxyhemoglobin level
C. Serum calcium
D. Hemoglobin A1c
Answer: Carboxyhemoglobin level
Rationale: Carboxyhemoglobin levels help assess carbon monoxide exposure
because carbon monoxide binds strongly to hemoglobin and interferes with
oxygen delivery.
11.A patient with a major burn is in the acute resuscitation phase. Which
finding best indicates adequate renal perfusion?
A. Urine output of approximately 0.5 mL/kg/hr in an adult
B. Dark amber urine every 8 hours
