Final answer:
The statement 'a. Fourth degree burns destroy the first two layers of skin' is NOT true; fourth-degree burns actually involve damage to all skin layers, underlying muscle, and possibly bone.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the given statements regarding burns, the one that is NOT true is: a. Fourth degree burns destroy the first two layers of skin. In fact, fourth-degree burns are more severe and extend beyond the first two layers of skin, damaging the underlying muscle and bone as well. To recap the severity of burns:
- A first-degree burn affects only the epidermis, which is the outer layer of skin.
- A second-degree burn affects both the epidermis and a portion of the dermis, leading to blisters.
- A third-degree burn fully extends into the epidermis and dermis, destroying the tissue and can be so severe that it requires a skin graft.
- A full-thickness burn involves all layers of skin and often requires extensive treatment including excision and grafting.
Therefore, the correct statement is that fourth-degree burns destroy all layers of skin along with muscle and possibly bone underneath, making option (a) not true. First-degree burns, second-degree burns, and third-degree burns each have varying degrees of severity, but do not extend to the muscle and bone.