TNS BURNS/THERMAL INJURY EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Which layer of skin contains blood vessels, glands and nerve ending? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Dermis
List 3 functions of the skin - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Thermoregulation
Prevents bacterial invasion
Prevents excessive fluid loss
Which of these describes the altering of structural proteins due the effects of heat? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅Denaturing
Which zone of burn injury is nearest the heat source and suffers the most thermal damage? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅Coagulation
Which zone of burn injury is farthest from the heat source and suffers least damage? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅Hyperemia
Which zone of burn injury is in the middle and may worsen with improper care? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅Stasis
Which stage of the burn process is characterized by catecholamine release and a pain-mediated
reaction? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Emergent
Which occurs during the fluid shift phase of the burn process? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Increased
capillary permeability results in 3rd space losses
Describe how electricity produces injury. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Burns from the inside-out causing
greater damage to inside structures with possibly little evidence on the outside.
Which of these has the lowest resistance, conducting even small amounts of current?
A. Bone
, B. Mucous membranes
C. Dry, callused skin
D. Palm of the hand - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Mucous membrane
Why are electrical burns considered a critical injury? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Respiratory arrest may be
caused by paralyzed muscles
Serious vascular and nerve injury may occur
Tissue death causes release of toxic materials
Which type of current usually produces a worse injury: AC or DC - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅AC, it
constantly switches polarity. Depolarizes myocardium resulting in asystole and respiratory arrest.
Describe the nature of entry wounds in electrical burns: - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Entry: where electricity
enters body. May be charred, centrally depressed blackened center, middle zone of grayish-white
coagulation necrosis; peripheral tissue damage that is reddened.
Describe the nature of exit wounds in electrical burns: - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Where electricity exits
the body (arched/curved body parts), may be smaller, dry, circumscribed, and have explosive
appearance.
Can full extent of tissue trauma caused by electrical burns be determined upon arrival to the ED? -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅No, Electrical burns have an "ice berg effect", having more damage under the
skin than it appears on the surface.
Explain the 3 types of lightning strikes - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Direct strike: hit you directly or
something you're holding.
Splash-over: current flows or jumps from one object to another.
Ground strike: hits the ground and current radiates outward from point of impact
Describe the cardiovascular effects of electrical/lightning injury and why a person with an electrical burn
should have ECG monitoring - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Dysrhythmias and conduction disturbances are
common r/t coronary artery spasm, coronary endarteritis, or diffuse myocardial damage
Which layer of skin contains blood vessels, glands and nerve ending? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Dermis
List 3 functions of the skin - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Thermoregulation
Prevents bacterial invasion
Prevents excessive fluid loss
Which of these describes the altering of structural proteins due the effects of heat? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅Denaturing
Which zone of burn injury is nearest the heat source and suffers the most thermal damage? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅Coagulation
Which zone of burn injury is farthest from the heat source and suffers least damage? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅Hyperemia
Which zone of burn injury is in the middle and may worsen with improper care? - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅Stasis
Which stage of the burn process is characterized by catecholamine release and a pain-mediated
reaction? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Emergent
Which occurs during the fluid shift phase of the burn process? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Increased
capillary permeability results in 3rd space losses
Describe how electricity produces injury. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Burns from the inside-out causing
greater damage to inside structures with possibly little evidence on the outside.
Which of these has the lowest resistance, conducting even small amounts of current?
A. Bone
, B. Mucous membranes
C. Dry, callused skin
D. Palm of the hand - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Mucous membrane
Why are electrical burns considered a critical injury? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Respiratory arrest may be
caused by paralyzed muscles
Serious vascular and nerve injury may occur
Tissue death causes release of toxic materials
Which type of current usually produces a worse injury: AC or DC - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅AC, it
constantly switches polarity. Depolarizes myocardium resulting in asystole and respiratory arrest.
Describe the nature of entry wounds in electrical burns: - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Entry: where electricity
enters body. May be charred, centrally depressed blackened center, middle zone of grayish-white
coagulation necrosis; peripheral tissue damage that is reddened.
Describe the nature of exit wounds in electrical burns: - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Where electricity exits
the body (arched/curved body parts), may be smaller, dry, circumscribed, and have explosive
appearance.
Can full extent of tissue trauma caused by electrical burns be determined upon arrival to the ED? -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅No, Electrical burns have an "ice berg effect", having more damage under the
skin than it appears on the surface.
Explain the 3 types of lightning strikes - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Direct strike: hit you directly or
something you're holding.
Splash-over: current flows or jumps from one object to another.
Ground strike: hits the ground and current radiates outward from point of impact
Describe the cardiovascular effects of electrical/lightning injury and why a person with an electrical burn
should have ECG monitoring - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Dysrhythmias and conduction disturbances are
common r/t coronary artery spasm, coronary endarteritis, or diffuse myocardial damage
