American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

Which of the following describes a superficial second-degree burn?

1. Painless with loss of hair

2. Redness with blisters

3. Leathery appearance down to subQ tissue

4. Requires skin grafting

The correct answer is: Redness with blisters

A superficial second-degree burn is characterized by redness and the presence of blisters. This type of burn typically involves the epidermis and part of the dermis but does not extend deeper into tissues. The redness indicates inflammation and increased blood flow to the area, while blisters form due to the accumulation of fluid between the layers of the skin, which is a protective response. The other options describe different types of burns or conditions. Painless areas with loss of hair suggest deeper damage, likely corresponding to more severe burns. A leathery appearance that extends down to subcutaneous tissue indicates a full-thickness or third-degree burn where nerve endings in the skin are destroyed, resulting in the lack of pain. Lastly, the need for skin grafting usually relates to full-thickness burns, where extensive damage has occurred and the skin cannot heal well on its own. Thus, the features of superficial second-degree burns align specifically with the presence of redness and blisters.