Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

In the assessment of a burn patient, what characteristic would NOT typically be present in a partial-thickness burn?

1. Blisters

2. Pain

3. White patches

4. Redness

The correct answer is: White patches

In the assessment of a burn patient, a characteristic that would not typically be present in a partial-thickness burn is the presence of white patches. Partial-thickness burns, which include first-degree and second-degree burns, are characterized by the preservation of some skin layers, which often results in redness, blisters, and significant pain due to nerve endings being exposed. The skin's color in partial-thickness burns is generally red, and it may also have blisters formed as the skin reacts to damage and fluid accumulation. White patches, on the other hand, are more commonly associated with full-thickness burns, where the burn destroys deeper layers of skin leading to damage to the structures beneath, resulting in a dry, leathery appearance. Thus, the absence of white patches is indicative of the characteristics you would expect in a partial-thickness burn.