Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) Practice Exam

Skin grafting is required for which type of burns?

1. Full thickness burns

2. Partial thickness burns

3. Stage 1 burns

4. All burns

The correct answer is: Full thickness burns

Full thickness burns, also known as third-degree burns, involve damage to the entire epidermis and dermis, possibly extending into the underlying tissue. Due to the severity of the damage, these burns disrupt the skin's natural healing processes, often resulting in significant scar formation and the inability to regenerate skin tissue effectively on their own. As such, skin grafting becomes a crucial intervention to promote healing, restore skin integrity, and minimize complications like infection or contractures. Partial thickness burns, which affect just the first two layers of skin, can often heal on their own without the need for surgical intervention, especially if they are superficial. Stage 1 burns, being the least severe and only affecting the outer layer of skin, typically resolve spontaneously with proper care. Considering all categories of burns, while some might require minimal intervention or no surgical procedures at all, full thickness burns necessitate skin grafting for optimal recovery and restoration.