NRSG 357: Burns Exam Questions and
Answers Graded A+
What is a burn? - Correct answer-An injury to the tissues of the body caused by
heat, chemicals, electric current, or radiation.
What type of burns are there? - Correct answer--thermal
-chemical
-smoke and inhalation
-electrical
-cold thermal
What is thermal burn? - Correct answer--caused by a flame, flash, scaled or contact
with objects
-most common type of burn injury
What is a chemical burn? - Correct answer--result of contact with acids, alkalis,
and organic compounds
-Did the chemical also splash into the eyes?
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,What is a smoke and inhalation burn? - Correct answer--breathing in of hot air or
noxious chemicals damages the respiratory tract
-Assess they type of smoke and inhalation injury
-Airway compromise and pulmonary edema can develop over the first 12-48 hrs
What is an electrical burn? - Correct answer--result from intense heat generated
from an electric current
-Assess damage to nerves and vessels (most of the damage is below the skin)
-Assess other areas of potential damage (vertebrae- strong muscle contractions)
What is a cold thermal? - Correct answer-frostbite
What is the goal of classification of burns? - Correct answer--guides way the burns
will be treated;
-what happened, what might happen, how best can we avoid the possible
complications and allow them to heal best;
-where should pt be treated (will they need a transfer?)
How is burn depth assessed? - Correct answer--degree system
-ABA recommended system
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, What is degrees system? - Correct answer-*very simplistic, becoming less
common in medical chart
-consists of four levels
Describe the first level of the degree system - Correct answer--superficial
-erythema, blanching on pressure, pain and mild swelling, no vesicles or blisters;
-epidermis;
-ex. Sun burn
Describe the second level of the degree system - Correct answer--deep
-fluid filled vesicles are red, shiny, wet. Severe pain caused by nerve injury, mild to
moderate edema;
-through epidermis, through dermis but haven't destroyed it yet;
-blisters occur instantly
Describe the third level of the degree system - Correct answer--dry, waxy white,
leathery, or hard skin;
-all skin elements and local nerve ending destroyed;
-through epidermis, dermis, at the fat
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Answers Graded A+
What is a burn? - Correct answer-An injury to the tissues of the body caused by
heat, chemicals, electric current, or radiation.
What type of burns are there? - Correct answer--thermal
-chemical
-smoke and inhalation
-electrical
-cold thermal
What is thermal burn? - Correct answer--caused by a flame, flash, scaled or contact
with objects
-most common type of burn injury
What is a chemical burn? - Correct answer--result of contact with acids, alkalis,
and organic compounds
-Did the chemical also splash into the eyes?
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,What is a smoke and inhalation burn? - Correct answer--breathing in of hot air or
noxious chemicals damages the respiratory tract
-Assess they type of smoke and inhalation injury
-Airway compromise and pulmonary edema can develop over the first 12-48 hrs
What is an electrical burn? - Correct answer--result from intense heat generated
from an electric current
-Assess damage to nerves and vessels (most of the damage is below the skin)
-Assess other areas of potential damage (vertebrae- strong muscle contractions)
What is a cold thermal? - Correct answer-frostbite
What is the goal of classification of burns? - Correct answer--guides way the burns
will be treated;
-what happened, what might happen, how best can we avoid the possible
complications and allow them to heal best;
-where should pt be treated (will they need a transfer?)
How is burn depth assessed? - Correct answer--degree system
-ABA recommended system
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, What is degrees system? - Correct answer-*very simplistic, becoming less
common in medical chart
-consists of four levels
Describe the first level of the degree system - Correct answer--superficial
-erythema, blanching on pressure, pain and mild swelling, no vesicles or blisters;
-epidermis;
-ex. Sun burn
Describe the second level of the degree system - Correct answer--deep
-fluid filled vesicles are red, shiny, wet. Severe pain caused by nerve injury, mild to
moderate edema;
-through epidermis, through dermis but haven't destroyed it yet;
-blisters occur instantly
Describe the third level of the degree system - Correct answer--dry, waxy white,
leathery, or hard skin;
-all skin elements and local nerve ending destroyed;
-through epidermis, dermis, at the fat
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
