Qualified Medication Aides (QMA) Practice Exam

What stage of burns causes blisters on the skin?

1. First degree

2. Second degree

3. Third degree

4. Fourth degree

The correct answer is: Second degree

Burns are categorized into different stages based on their depth and the severity of the damage to the skin. Second-degree burns are characterized by the presence of blisters, which form due to damage to both the epidermis (the outer layer of skin) and part of the dermis (the second layer of skin). This type of burn is often painful, red, and swollen, and the blisters fill with fluid as part of the body's healing response. In first-degree burns, the damage is limited to the epidermis, resulting in redness and minor swelling without blister formation. Third-degree burns extend through the full thickness of the skin and may destroy nerve endings, often leading to a lack of pain in the burned area. Fourth-degree burns go even deeper, affecting muscle and bone, and are associated with serious complications, including charring of the skin. Hence, second-degree burns specifically are the stage at which blistering occurs, aiding in identifying the severity and required treatment for the injury.