Physical Therapy Assistant Practice Exam

Which type of burn shows the potential for hypertrophic scars or keloids during the healing process?

1. Superficial burn

2. Deep partial-thickness burn

3. Full-thickness burn

4. Superficial partial-thickness burn

The correct answer is: Deep partial-thickness burn

A deep partial-thickness burn involves damage that extends into the dermis, resulting in a more complex healing process compared to superficial burns. Since this type of burn affects deeper layers of skin, the body’s inflammatory response is more pronounced, leading to significant collagen deposition as the wound heals. This excessive collagen formation can lead to hypertrophic scars, which are raised scars that may develop during the healing process but eventually may regress. In some cases, keloids can form, which are even more pronounced raised scars that extend beyond the original wound boundaries due to an overproduction of scar tissue. In contrast, superficial burns primarily affect the epidermis, which typically heal without scarring. Full-thickness burns destroy both the epidermis and dermis, leading to significant tissue loss and a typical healing process that often results in scarring but differs in mechanism from the hypertrophic and keloid scarring associated with deep partial-thickness burns. Superficial partial-thickness burns involve the epidermis and part of the dermis, usually resulting in minimal scarring and a good cosmetic outcome. These distinctions are crucial in understanding the potential for complex scar formation associated with different burn depths.