NUR 185 Exam 2 2026/2027 | Concepts of Adult Health
Nursing II | 300+ Practice Questions, Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: BURNS — ASSESSMENT & CLASSIFICATION
1. Which finding is most characteristic of a superficial partial-thickness
burn?
A. Dry, red skin without blisters
B. Moist skin with blisters and significant pain
C. Charred tissue with no sensation
D. White, leathery tissue extending into muscle
Answer: B
Rationale: Partial-thickness burns commonly cause blistering, moisture,
erythema, and significant pain because nerve endings remain exposed.
2. A client has a burn involving only the epidermis. How should the
burn be classified?
A. Superficial
B. Deep partial-thickness
C. Full-thickness
D. Fourth-degree
Answer: A
Rationale: A superficial burn affects only the epidermis and generally
produces redness and pain without destruction of deeper tissue.
3. Which finding is most consistent with a full-thickness burn?
,A. Redness that blanches with pressure
B. Small superficial blisters
C. Dry, leathery, insensate tissue
D. Mild tenderness with intact skin
Answer: C
Rationale: Full-thickness burns destroy the epidermis and dermis and
may damage deeper structures, producing dry, leathery tissue with
reduced or absent sensation.
4. Why may a full-thickness burn be painless in the center of the
wound?
A. Inflammation is absent
B. Blood flow is increased
C. Sensory nerve endings are destroyed
D. The epidermis becomes thicker
Answer: C
Rationale: Destruction of sensory nerve endings can cause loss of
sensation in deeply burned tissue.
5. Which burn depth typically produces blisters and severe pain?
A. Superficial
B. Partial-thickness
C. Full-thickness
D. Subcutaneous
Answer: B
Rationale: Partial-thickness burns damage the epidermis and part of
the dermis while leaving many pain receptors intact.
,6. A client has a burn that appears white, dry, and leathery. Which
depth should the nurse suspect?
A. Superficial
B. Superficial partial-thickness
C. Deep partial-thickness
D. Full-thickness
Answer: D
Rationale: White or brown, leathery, dry tissue is characteristic of a full-
thickness burn.
7. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client with a facial
burn?
A. Localized pain
B. Singed nasal hairs
C. Mild redness
D. Small blister on the hand
Answer: B
Rationale: Singed facial or nasal hair may indicate exposure to smoke or
heat and raises concern for inhalation injury.
8. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with a superficial arm burn
B. Client with a painful leg burn
C. Client with facial burns and hoarseness
D. Client requesting pain medication
, Answer: C
Rationale: Facial burns with hoarseness suggest possible airway edema
and inhalation injury, which can rapidly become life-threatening.
9. Which manifestation is most suggestive of inhalation injury?
A. Hoarseness and carbonaceous sputum
B. Abdominal distention
C. Lower-extremity edema
D. Increased appetite
Answer: A
Rationale: Hoarseness, soot or carbonaceous sputum, facial burns, and
respiratory changes are warning signs of inhalation injury.
10. What is the priority assessment for a client with a major burn?
A. Bowel sounds
B. Airway and breathing
C. Appetite
D. Sleep pattern
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway compromise can develop rapidly after major burns,
particularly with inhalation injury.
11. A client is rescued from a house fire and has soot around the
mouth. What is the nurse's priority?
A. Apply lotion
B. Assess the airway
C. Begin range-of-motion exercises
D. Encourage oral fluids
Nursing II | 300+ Practice Questions, Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: BURNS — ASSESSMENT & CLASSIFICATION
1. Which finding is most characteristic of a superficial partial-thickness
burn?
A. Dry, red skin without blisters
B. Moist skin with blisters and significant pain
C. Charred tissue with no sensation
D. White, leathery tissue extending into muscle
Answer: B
Rationale: Partial-thickness burns commonly cause blistering, moisture,
erythema, and significant pain because nerve endings remain exposed.
2. A client has a burn involving only the epidermis. How should the
burn be classified?
A. Superficial
B. Deep partial-thickness
C. Full-thickness
D. Fourth-degree
Answer: A
Rationale: A superficial burn affects only the epidermis and generally
produces redness and pain without destruction of deeper tissue.
3. Which finding is most consistent with a full-thickness burn?
,A. Redness that blanches with pressure
B. Small superficial blisters
C. Dry, leathery, insensate tissue
D. Mild tenderness with intact skin
Answer: C
Rationale: Full-thickness burns destroy the epidermis and dermis and
may damage deeper structures, producing dry, leathery tissue with
reduced or absent sensation.
4. Why may a full-thickness burn be painless in the center of the
wound?
A. Inflammation is absent
B. Blood flow is increased
C. Sensory nerve endings are destroyed
D. The epidermis becomes thicker
Answer: C
Rationale: Destruction of sensory nerve endings can cause loss of
sensation in deeply burned tissue.
5. Which burn depth typically produces blisters and severe pain?
A. Superficial
B. Partial-thickness
C. Full-thickness
D. Subcutaneous
Answer: B
Rationale: Partial-thickness burns damage the epidermis and part of
the dermis while leaving many pain receptors intact.
,6. A client has a burn that appears white, dry, and leathery. Which
depth should the nurse suspect?
A. Superficial
B. Superficial partial-thickness
C. Deep partial-thickness
D. Full-thickness
Answer: D
Rationale: White or brown, leathery, dry tissue is characteristic of a full-
thickness burn.
7. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client with a facial
burn?
A. Localized pain
B. Singed nasal hairs
C. Mild redness
D. Small blister on the hand
Answer: B
Rationale: Singed facial or nasal hair may indicate exposure to smoke or
heat and raises concern for inhalation injury.
8. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with a superficial arm burn
B. Client with a painful leg burn
C. Client with facial burns and hoarseness
D. Client requesting pain medication
, Answer: C
Rationale: Facial burns with hoarseness suggest possible airway edema
and inhalation injury, which can rapidly become life-threatening.
9. Which manifestation is most suggestive of inhalation injury?
A. Hoarseness and carbonaceous sputum
B. Abdominal distention
C. Lower-extremity edema
D. Increased appetite
Answer: A
Rationale: Hoarseness, soot or carbonaceous sputum, facial burns, and
respiratory changes are warning signs of inhalation injury.
10. What is the priority assessment for a client with a major burn?
A. Bowel sounds
B. Airway and breathing
C. Appetite
D. Sleep pattern
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway compromise can develop rapidly after major burns,
particularly with inhalation injury.
11. A client is rescued from a house fire and has soot around the
mouth. What is the nurse's priority?
A. Apply lotion
B. Assess the airway
C. Begin range-of-motion exercises
D. Encourage oral fluids
