ATI Medical-Surgical Integumentary/Burns
Exam Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download PDF.
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who sustained a thermal burn
injury. Which finding is most consistent with a full-thickness
burn?
A. Red, painful skin that blanches with pressure
B. Blister formation with severe pain
C. Moist, red wound with significant pain
D. White or charred skin with decreased sensation
Answer: D. White or charred skin with decreased sensation
Full-thickness burns destroy the epidermis and the entire dermis
and may extend into subcutaneous tissue. The wound can
appear white, brown, leathery, or charred, and sensation may
be reduced because nerve endings have been destroyed.
Superficial and partial-thickness burns generally produce more
pain because viable nerve endings remain.
,Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client with a major burn injury during the
first 24 hr after admission. Which intervention has the highest
priority?
A. Begin high-calorie oral nutrition
B. Maintain adequate fluid resuscitation
C. Apply pressure garments
D. Begin active range-of-motion exercises
Answer: B. Maintain adequate fluid resuscitation
Major burns cause increased capillary permeability, resulting in
movement of fluid from the intravascular space into the
interstitial space. This can produce hypovolemia and burn shock.
During the initial phase, maintaining circulating volume and
tissue perfusion is a major priority. Nutritional support, pressure
garments, and rehabilitation are important but do not take
priority over stabilization.
Question 3
A client with a burn injury has singed nasal hairs, soot around
the mouth, and a hoarse voice. Which complication should the
nurse suspect?
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Inhalation injury
,C. Wound infection
D. Compartment syndrome
Answer: B. Inhalation injury
Singed facial or nasal hair, soot, facial burns, coughing,
hoarseness, and carbonaceous sputum are concerning findings
for inhalation injury. Airway edema can progress rapidly,
making early airway assessment and intervention essential. A
client can initially appear stable while airway swelling continues
to develop.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has sustained burns involving
the face and neck. Which assessment is the priority?
A. Bowel sounds
B. Urinary output
C. Airway patency
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C. Airway patency
Burns involving the face and neck increase concern for airway
compromise, particularly when accompanied by inhalation
injury. Edema of the airway can develop rapidly. The nurse
should prioritize airway assessment and monitor for hoarseness,
, stridor, respiratory distress, soot, and other evidence of
inhalation injury.
Question 5
A nurse is evaluating a client with a partial-thickness burn.
Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Dry, leathery tissue without pain
B. Blisters and severe pain
C. Black eschar extending into muscle
D. Complete destruction of nerve endings
Answer: B. Blisters and severe pain
Partial-thickness burns involve the epidermis and part of the
dermis. Because many nerve endings remain intact, these burns
can be extremely painful. Blisters, moist wound surfaces,
redness, and sensitivity are common. Complete destruction of
the dermis and nerve endings is characteristic of a deeper full-
thickness injury.
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a client with a superficial burn. Which
finding is expected?
Exam Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download PDF.
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who sustained a thermal burn
injury. Which finding is most consistent with a full-thickness
burn?
A. Red, painful skin that blanches with pressure
B. Blister formation with severe pain
C. Moist, red wound with significant pain
D. White or charred skin with decreased sensation
Answer: D. White or charred skin with decreased sensation
Full-thickness burns destroy the epidermis and the entire dermis
and may extend into subcutaneous tissue. The wound can
appear white, brown, leathery, or charred, and sensation may
be reduced because nerve endings have been destroyed.
Superficial and partial-thickness burns generally produce more
pain because viable nerve endings remain.
,Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client with a major burn injury during the
first 24 hr after admission. Which intervention has the highest
priority?
A. Begin high-calorie oral nutrition
B. Maintain adequate fluid resuscitation
C. Apply pressure garments
D. Begin active range-of-motion exercises
Answer: B. Maintain adequate fluid resuscitation
Major burns cause increased capillary permeability, resulting in
movement of fluid from the intravascular space into the
interstitial space. This can produce hypovolemia and burn shock.
During the initial phase, maintaining circulating volume and
tissue perfusion is a major priority. Nutritional support, pressure
garments, and rehabilitation are important but do not take
priority over stabilization.
Question 3
A client with a burn injury has singed nasal hairs, soot around
the mouth, and a hoarse voice. Which complication should the
nurse suspect?
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Inhalation injury
,C. Wound infection
D. Compartment syndrome
Answer: B. Inhalation injury
Singed facial or nasal hair, soot, facial burns, coughing,
hoarseness, and carbonaceous sputum are concerning findings
for inhalation injury. Airway edema can progress rapidly,
making early airway assessment and intervention essential. A
client can initially appear stable while airway swelling continues
to develop.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has sustained burns involving
the face and neck. Which assessment is the priority?
A. Bowel sounds
B. Urinary output
C. Airway patency
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C. Airway patency
Burns involving the face and neck increase concern for airway
compromise, particularly when accompanied by inhalation
injury. Edema of the airway can develop rapidly. The nurse
should prioritize airway assessment and monitor for hoarseness,
, stridor, respiratory distress, soot, and other evidence of
inhalation injury.
Question 5
A nurse is evaluating a client with a partial-thickness burn.
Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Dry, leathery tissue without pain
B. Blisters and severe pain
C. Black eschar extending into muscle
D. Complete destruction of nerve endings
Answer: B. Blisters and severe pain
Partial-thickness burns involve the epidermis and part of the
dermis. Because many nerve endings remain intact, these burns
can be extremely painful. Blisters, moist wound surfaces,
redness, and sensitivity are common. Complete destruction of
the dermis and nerve endings is characteristic of a deeper full-
thickness injury.
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a client with a superficial burn. Which
finding is expected?
