A child has presented to the ER after a burn injury from a hot soup spill. A nurse is caring for a preschooler diagnosed with a superficial partial- thickness burn on the right forearm. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)
Explanation & Rationale
A. Blanching of wound area: Superficial partial-thickness burns affect the epidermis and upper dermis, preserving capillary circulation. Blanching with pressure is expected and indicates viable tissue. B. Blistering of area: These burns often result in fluid accumulation between skin layers, forming blisters. This is a hallmark of partial-thickness injury. C. Pain at wound site: The nerve endings in the dermis remain intact, making these burns very painful. Pain increases with air exposure or light touch. D. Intact skin surface: The skin surface is typically broken or disrupted in partial-thickness burns due to blistering or peeling. Intact skin is more typical of first-degree (superficial) burns. E. Dry crusting surface: Partial-thickness burns are moist, not dry. A dry, crusted surface suggests a deeper or healing wound stage, not an acute superficial partial-thickness burn.