Burns - third-degree
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
Integumentary / Burns / Woundshigh priorityneeds review
Burns - third-degree
Also testable as: Full-thickness burn
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Deep thermal, chemical, electrical, or prolonged contact injury destroys epidermis and dermis.
- Full-thickness tissue death damages nerves and skin barrier, creating major fluid, infection, and temperature regulation problems.
Medications
No specific medication class was seeded for this card.
Nursing actions
- Assess airway first, especially with facial burns, soot, hoarseness, or enclosed-space fire.
- Monitor circulation distal to circumferential burns and report tight eschar or decreased pulses.
- Prepare for burn center referral, fluid resuscitation, debridement, escharotomy, or grafting as ordered.
Complications
- Airway edema
- Shock
- Sepsis
- Compartment syndrome
- Contractures
NCLEX cues
- White, brown, charred, leathery, or painless center.
- Painless does not mean less severe.
- Circumferential chest/extremity burns threaten breathing or perfusion.
Memory hooks
- Third-degree can be painless because nerves are burned.
Labs / Diagnostics
- TBSA estimate
- Urine output
- Electrolytes
- Carboxyhemoglobin if smoke inhalation
- Distal pulse checks
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.