Which description best matches a superficial burn?

Which description best matches a superficial burn?

• A. Charred, Leathery, Painless (Nerve Damage)
• B. Red, Painful, No Blisters
• C. Blisters, Moist, Very Painful
• D. Tissue Injury From Heat, Chemicals, Electricity, Radiation

Answer: (B)

A superficial burn is a first-degree burn that injures only the outer layer of skin (the epidermis). It appears red and is tender or painful to touch, and there are typically no blisters. Because the epidermis is affected but the deeper skin layers aren’t, healing occurs relatively quickly, usually within a few days, without scarring. The description “red, painful, no blisters” fits this pattern precisely. The other descriptions point to deeper or differently characterized burns: charred, leathery, painless indicates a full-thickness burn where nerves are destroyed and the skin is damaged through all layers; blisters with moist tissue and very painful suggests a partial-thickness burn that involves the dermis; and a broad statement about tissue injury from heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation describes the cause or mechanism rather than the depth of injury.

A superficial burn is a first-degree burn that injures only the outer layer of skin (the epidermis). It appears red and is tender or painful to touch, and there are typically no blisters. Because the epidermis is affected but the deeper skin layers aren’t, healing occurs relatively quickly, usually within a few days, without scarring. The description “red, painful, no blisters” fits this pattern precisely.

The other descriptions point to deeper or differently characterized burns: charred, leathery, painless indicates a full-thickness burn where nerves are destroyed and the skin is damaged through all layers; blisters with moist tissue and very painful suggests a partial-thickness burn that involves the dermis; and a broad statement about tissue injury from heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation describes the cause or mechanism rather than the depth of injury.