Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) Practice Exam

What characteristic describes scar tissue in burn victims?

1. Thicker, more pliable and less sensitive to temperature changes

2. Thinner, drier, and more prone to blistering and itching

3. No longer photosensitive

4. Moist and prone to yeast infection

The correct answer is: Thinner, drier, and more prone to blistering and itching

Scar tissue in burn victims is typically characterized as thinner, drier, and more prone to blistering and itching. After a burn injury, the skin undergoes a healing process that leads to the formation of scar tissue, which often lacks the full functionality and cellular structure of normal skin. The thickness of the scar tissue can vary, but it is generally not as robust as the original skin. The drier nature of scar tissue is due to the reduced number of sebaceous glands and moisture-retaining properties compared to normal skin. Additionally, this altered structure can lead to increased sensitivity or reactions such as blistering and itching, as the nerve endings may be disrupted or altered during the healing process, making the area more reactive to stimuli. In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the typical characteristics of scar tissue in burn victims. For example, scar tissue is not known to be more pliable; rather, it often feels tight or restrictive. While some scar tissue can be less sensitive to temperature changes, it is not universally true that it's less sensitive. The idea of scar tissue being moist and prone to yeast infections does not align with the typical findings in burn-related healing.