Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

What is the burn degree classification that involves the epidermis and subcutaneous tissue?

1. First

2. Second

3. Third

4. Fourth

The correct answer is: Third

The classification of burns is crucial for understanding the extent of injury to the skin and underlying tissues. The third-degree burn, which is the correct answer, extends through the epidermis and dermis and affects deeper tissues. It significantly damages the epidermis, resulting in the loss of skin layers and often involves the subcutaneous tissue, which lies beneath the dermis. In third-degree burns, the skin may appear waxy, white, leathery, or charred, and these injuries can be painless due to the destruction of nerve endings in the affected area. This type of burn typically requires medical intervention, which may include skin grafting and surgery due to the extensive damage. Understanding the various degrees of burns is essential. For instance, first-degree burns only affect the outer layer of skin (epidermis), causing redness and minor pain. Second-degree burns extend into the dermis and can present with blisters and severe pain but do not typically affect subcutaneous tissue. Fourth-degree burns go even deeper, damaging muscles, tendons, and bones, which is beyond what is encompassed by the third-degree classification. Thus, the clear delineation of third-degree burns encompasses involvement of both the epidermis and subcutaneous tissue, solidifying its classification correctly