Burns - first-degree

Etiology / Pathophysiology

• Minor thermal, sun, or brief contact injury affects the epidermis.
• Superficial skin inflammation causes redness and pain without blisters.

Medications

No specific medication class was seeded for this card.

Nursing actions

• Assess burn size, location, cause, pain, and whether deeper injury is present.
• Cool with clean running water if appropriate and protect skin from further injury.
• Teach hydration, sun protection, and when to seek care for worsening pain, infection, or larger burns.

Complications

• Progression if underestimated
• Pain
• Dehydration if widespread sunburn

NCLEX cues

• Red, dry, painful skin without blisters.
• Airway/electrical/chemical burns still change priority regardless of depth.

Memory hooks

• First-degree is red and dry.

Labs / Diagnostics

• Trend assessment findings and ordered diagnostics; verify exact values with school source material.

Review notes

• Supplemental wife-requested study card. Use for NCLEX review only and verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy.