Which finding indicates a full-thickness burn?

Prepare for the Paramedic Readiness Exam 4 with our engaging quiz. Hone your skills with targeted questions, hints, and in-depth explanations. Excel on your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Which finding indicates a full-thickness burn?

Explanation:
Full-thickness burns destroy both the epidermis and dermis and often extend deeper, eliminating most or all sensory nerves in the area. That loss of sensation makes the burned skin feel numb or insensate, and the surface often looks charred, white, brown, or leathery. So a charred, insensate appearance is the best sign of a full-thickness burn. Painful to touch implies nerve endings are still intact, pointing to a superficial or partial-thickness burn. Blistering with intact sensation indicates partial-thickness depth. Red and warm suggests a superficial burn with preserved blood flow and nerves.

Full-thickness burns destroy both the epidermis and dermis and often extend deeper, eliminating most or all sensory nerves in the area. That loss of sensation makes the burned skin feel numb or insensate, and the surface often looks charred, white, brown, or leathery. So a charred, insensate appearance is the best sign of a full-thickness burn.

Painful to touch implies nerve endings are still intact, pointing to a superficial or partial-thickness burn. Blistering with intact sensation indicates partial-thickness depth. Red and warm suggests a superficial burn with preserved blood flow and nerves.

More practice questions