Which statement describes a third-degree burn?

• A. Epidermal damage only
• B. Partial thickness burn
• C. Involves entire dermal layer but not deeper
• D. Dry, leathery skin with no pain

Answer: (D)

Third-degree burns are full-thickness injuries, meaning the epidermis and the entire dermis are destroyed and may extend into deeper tissues. The hallmark you’ll often see is a dry, leathery surface (eschar) and little to no pain in the burned area because the nerve endings have been damaged. This combination—dry, leathery skin and numbness—distinguishes third-degree burns from less severe burns.

Why the other descriptions don’t fit: an epidermal-only injury is a first-degree burn, which is typically red and painful. A partial-thickness burn involves the epidermis and part of the dermis and is usually moist and blistered. An injury described as involving the entire dermal layer but not deeper is not as complete a picture as a true full-thickness burn, which can extend beyond the dermis to underlying tissues; the dry, painless appearance is the best clue to third-degree depth.