Wound Care Certified Certification (WCC) Practice Exam

A patient presents with a burn characterized by large blisters, edema, and pain. What burn classification does this represent?

1. Superficial burn

2. Partial-thickness burn

3. Superficial partial-thickness

4. Full-thickness burn

The correct answer is: Superficial partial-thickness

The classification described in the question relates to a burn that shows parameters such as large blisters, edema, and pain. This particular set of symptoms is characteristic of a superficial partial-thickness burn. Superficial partial-thickness burns penetrate the epidermis and extend into the upper layers of the dermis. This depth leads to the formation of blisters and significant pain due to the involvement of nerve endings present in the dermis. The presence of blisters is a key indicator, as they are a response to the injury and signal that the burn is not just superficial but extends deeper, although it does not destroy the entire dermal layer. In contrast, a superficial burn primarily involves just the epidermis and typically does not produce blisters, and it is less painful. Full-thickness burns, on the other hand, extend through the entire dermis, rendering the area insensate because nerve endings are destroyed, resulting in less immediate pain response. The criteria of blister formation, edema, and pain specifically align with the characteristics of a superficial partial-thickness burn rather than the other classifications.