AWS Welding Inspection and Testing Certification Practice Test

A burn that causes the skin to blister is known as which type of burn?

1. First degree burn

2. Second degree burn

3. Third degree burn

4. Fourth degree burn

The correct answer is: Second degree burn

A burn that causes the skin to blister is classified as a second degree burn. This type of burn affects both the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) and the underlying layer (dermis), leading to symptoms that include blisters, swelling, pain, and a more intense red coloration. The formation of blisters is a key characteristic that differentiates second degree burns from first degree burns, which typically only cause redness and minor swelling without blisters. Third degree burns go deeper, damaging all layers of the skin and potentially affecting underlying tissues, which may result in a leathery appearance and loss of sensation in the affected area. Fourth degree burns extend even deeper, involving muscle and bone, resulting in significant damage and a higher risk of complications. These types of burns are far more severe and do not involve blistering in the same way that second degree burns do. Hence, the symptoms and characteristics associated with second degree burns make it the correct answer in this case.