Certified Case Manager Practice Test

Which burn pattern is characteristic of an immersion burn?

1. The burn pattern in an "arrowhead" configuration

2. There are stocking or glove marks on feet and hands

3. The burns are in the shape of an object

4. There are blisters on the skin that measure at least 1 centimeter in diameter

The correct answer is: There are stocking or glove marks on feet and hands

An immersion burn is characterized by distinct patterns that indicate the involvement of a body part being submerged in hot liquid, which often leads to specific marks on the skin. The presence of stocking or glove marks on the feet and hands suggests that these areas were immersed in a hot substance, resembling the pattern of a glove or stocking. These marks are typically clear, sharply defined lines where the immersion occurred, indicating a sudden temperature differentiation between the submerged areas and the surrounding skin that was not exposed to the heat. In contrast, other patterns may not be indicative of immersion burns. For example, the arrowhead configuration is more commonly associated with splash or spatters from liquid rather than immersion. Similarly, while burns in the shape of an object might depict intentional contact with a hot item, they do not represent the immersion pattern that specifically leaves a clear line as described in choice B. Lastly, the description of blisters measuring at least 1 centimeter in diameter can occur in various types of burns but does not specifically correlate to the defined and recognizable lines of immersion burns, which is a key characteristic of the latter type of injury.