Burns Quiz

Question 1

The LEAST significant complication associated with damage to the skin following a burn injury is:

Select one:

a. decreased melanin granules.
b. disturbances in fluid balance.
c. difficulty with thermoregulation.
d. susceptibility to bacterial invasion.

Answer 1

a. decreased melanin granules.

Question 2

The severity of a thermal burn correlates directly with:

Select one:

a. the body’s ability to effectively dissipate significant heat energy and the patient’s general state of health.
b. the presence of any underlying medical problems, the duration of exposure, and the temperature of the heat source.
c. the duration of exposure, the physical size of the patient, and the presence of concomitant traumatic injuries.
d. the temperature of the heat source, the amount of heat energy possessed by the object or substance, and the duration of exposure.

Answer 2

d. the temperature of the heat source, the amount of heat energy possessed by the object or substance, and the duration of exposure.

Question 3

Thermal burns are MOST commonly caused by exposure to:

Select one:

a. hot liquids.
b. hot solid objects.
c. an open flame.
d. superheated steam.

Answer 3

c. an open flame.

Question 4

Which of the following statements regarding scald burns is correct?

Select one:

a. Once hot liquids come in contact with clothing, heat is rapidly dissipated.
b. Scald burns often cover large surface areas because liquids spread quickly.
c. Scald burns caused by grease or oil are typically limited to the epidermis.
d. Scald burns are less commonly seen in pediatric patients than adult patients.

Answer 4

b. Scald burns often cover large surface areas because liquids spread quickly.

Question 5

Which of the following burn injuries or patterns should make you the MOST suspicious for abuse?

Select one:

a. Burns to the forearm
b. Splash burns to a leg
c. An arc burn to the hand
d. Burns with formed shapes

Answer 5

d. Burns with formed shapes

Question 6

What type of thermal burn is MOST commonly associated with inhalation injury?

Select one:

a. Steam burns
b. Flame burns
c. Scald burns
d. Arc burns

Answer 6

a. Steam burns

Question 7

Flash burns:

Select one:

a. are usually relatively minor compared with the potential for trauma from whatever caused the flash.
b. are caused by prolonged exposure to intense heat, usually resulting in burns that extend deep into the dermis.
c. are a common source of burn injury and are most often the result of hot liquids, such as radiator fluid.
d. are generally confined to a very small area of the body, but cause extensive damage to the dermis.

Answer 7

a. are usually relatively minor compared with the potential for trauma from whatever caused the flash.

Question 8

Burn shock is caused by:

Select one:

a. a massive infection that occurs when microorganisms breach burned skin.
b. renal failure secondary to excess myoglobin production from burned muscle.
c. fluid loss across damaged skin and volume shifts within the rest of the body.
d. acute dehydration, and it commonly manifests within 30 minutes after the burn.

Answer 8

c. fluid loss across damaged skin and volume shifts within the rest of the body.

Question 9

If an acutely burned patient is in shock in the prehospital setting:

Select one:

a. it is likely that he or she is experiencing burn shock.
b. you should look for another injury as the source of shock.
c. administer a 250-mL bolus of normal saline and reassess.
d. avoid IV fluids unless the systolic BP is below 80 mm Hg.

Answer 9

b. you should look for another injury as the source of shock.

Question 10

Supraglottic damage following a burn is MOST often caused by:

Select one:

a. the inhalation of superheated gases.
b. exposure to carbon monoxide or cyanide.
c. the inhalation of hot particulate steam.
d. direct flame exposure to the oropharynx.

Answer 10

c. the inhalation of superheated gases.

Question 11

Which of the following statements regarding carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is correct?

Select one:

a. Never rule out CO poisoning in the absence of cherry red skin.
b. The most common symptom of CO poisoning is chest pressure.
c. CO results in systemic hypoxia by disintegrating red blood cells.
d. Hyperbaric therapy is beneficial only if CO levels are above 40%.

Answer 11

a. Never rule out CO poisoning in the absence of cherry red skin.

Question 12

The progression of a chemical burn is MOSTLY dependent on:

Select one:
a. the length of time the corrosive chemical remains on the skin.
b. the surface area of the body exposed to a corrosive chemical.
c. whether the corrosive substance is a strong acid or
alkali.
d. the patient’s general health and the thickness of his or her skin.

Answer 12

a. the length of time the corrosive chemical remains on the skin.

Question 13

The degree of absorption of a corrosive chemical determines:

Select one:

a. the type of liquid used to irrigate the burn.
b. whether the burn should be flushed.
c. whether toxicity is local or systemic.
d. the antidote required to reverse the effects.

Answer 13

c. whether toxicity is local or systemic.

Question 14

Dry powder chemicals:

Select one:

a. will react violently with water and should not be irrigated.
b. cause coagulation necrosis if they are absorbed by the body.
c. should be brushed off the skin before irrigation with water.
d. are effectively neutralized on the skin with isopropyl alcohol.

Answer 14

c. should be brushed off the skin before irrigation with water.

Question 15

Phosphorus is found in _____________ and burns when exposed to _____________.

Select one:

a. fireworks, air
b. oven cleaner, water
c. drain cleaner, air
d. battery acid, water

Answer 15

a. fireworks, air

Question 16

Chemicals such as Lewisite and phosgene oxime:

Select one:

a. are strong alkalis that cause liquefaction necrosis.
b. damage the body by extracting water from the tissues.
c. are most commonly found in drain and oven cleaners.
d. are vesicant agents that produce cutaneous blisters rapidly.

Answer 16

d. are vesicant agents that produce cutaneous blisters rapidly.

Question 17

Which of the following chemicals causes a painless burn and can result in significant damage before it is identified?

Select one:

a. Phenol
b. Sulfur mustard
c. Sulfuric acid
d. Potassium hydroxide

Answer 17

a. Phenol

Question 18

Exposure to hydrofluoric acid causes:

Select one:

a. little pain and coagulation necrosis.
b. immediate pain and liquefaction necrosis.
c. little pain and liquefaction necrosis.
d. immediate pain and coagulation necrosis.

Answer 18

d. immediate pain and coagulation necrosis.

Question 19

The outer zone of an entrance or exit wound caused by a contact electrical burn is:

Select one:

a. the red zone of coagulation necrosis.
b. simply caused by local inflammation.
c. a charred area of full-thickness burn.
d. characterized by cold, gray, dry tissue.

Answer 19

a. the red zone of coagulation necrosis.

Question 20

Relative to the entrance wound caused by an electrical burn, the exit wound:

Select one:

a. is a predictor of internal injury.
b. heals without surgical intervention.
c. is often much smaller in diameter.
d. can be quite extensive and deep.

Answer 20

d. can be quite extensive and deep.