North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

How much body surface area is affected by 3rd degree burns considered major?

1. 5%

2. 10%

3. 20%

4. 30%

The correct answer is: 10%

In cases of burn assessment, particularly when determining the severity and treatment protocols for burns, a third-degree burn (also known as a full-thickness burn) is categorized as major if it affects 10% or more of the total body surface area (TBSA). Third-degree burns penetrate all layers of the skin, damaging both the epidermis and dermis, which can lead to serious complications such as infection and fluid loss, making it a critical medical condition. Therefore, in the context of the question, when assessing the extent of third-degree burns, a burn affecting 10% of the body surface area is considered major. This threshold helps guide the medical intervention required and also impacts the patient's prognosis. While some might consider higher percentages like 20% or more as severely critical, the classification of major burns specifically for third-degree burns starts at 10%. This metric is often utilized in guiding protocols for fluid resuscitation and facility for transfer to specialized burn units.