Burn classifications

Question 1

What tissues are involved in a superficial/first degree burn?

Answer 1

Epidermis

Question 2

What tissues are involved in a partial thickness/second degree burn?

Answer 2

Epidermis and upper dermis

Question 3

What burn involves the epidermis and dermis, and perhaps subcutaneous tissue?

Answer 3

Full thickness (third degree)

Question 4

What burn involves the epidermis and dermis, fat, fascia, muscle and bone?

Answer 4

Deep full thickness burn (fourth degree)

Question 5

What are the manifestations of a superficial/first degree burn?

Answer 5

Redness, mild edema, blanches under pressure, pain, heat sensitivity

Question 6

What are the manifestations of a second degree/partial thickness burn?

Answer 6

Blisters, mottled with red base, weepy, edema

Question 7

What are the manifestations of a full thickness/third degree burn?

Answer 7

Insensate, shock, myoglobinuria, hemolysis, coagulated vessels

Question 8

What are the manifestations of deep full thickness/fourth degree?

Answer 8

shock, myoglobinuria, hemolysis, charring

Question 9

What is the treatment for first degree burn?

Answer 9

PO pain med, cool compress, skin lubricants
Note: topical antimicrobials NOT indicated

Question 10

What is the treatment for second degree burns?

Answer 10

Same as first degree, but may require grafting
Note: do NOT pop blisters

Question 11

What is the treatment for third degree burns?

Answer 11

dependent on TBSA, likely burn centre will be involved, grafting etc

Question 12

What is the treatment for fourth degree burns

Answer 12

Amputation, etc
Note: grafting NOT indicated

Question 13

What is the healing timeline for 1st degree burns?

Answer 13

3-5 days, commonly without scarring

Question 14

What is the healing timeline for 2nd degree burns?

Answer 14

10-21 days, with scarring and pigment changes

Question 15

What is the healing like for 3rd degree burns?

Answer 15

grafting necessary, scarring, loss of contour and function