When Assessing an Emergency Department Patient Who Spilled Hot Oil

question 4

Multiple Choice

When assessing an emergency department patient who spilled hot oil from a deep-fat fryer on the right leg and foot, the nurse notes that the leg and foot are red, swollen, and covered with large blisters. The patient states that they are very painful. The nurse will document the injury as

• A) full-thickness skin destruction.
• B) deep partial-thickness skin destruction.
• C) superficial partial-thickness skin destruction.
• D) deep full-thickness skin destruction.

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Definitions:

Surface Tension

A physical property of liquids that causes them to behave as if their surface is covered with a stretched elastic membrane, due to intermolecular forces.

Hydrogen Atoms

The simplest type of atom, consisting of a single electron orbiting a single proton.

Metallic Luster

The shiny, reflective quality of metals that gives them a bright, mirror-like appearance, also observed in certain minerals that have a metal-like appearance.

Opaque

Not allowing light to pass through; not transparent or translucent.