Question

Of first, second, and third-degree burns which has less pain? Why?

A. First-degree burns; nerve endings are damaged
B. Second-degree burns; nerve endings are exposed
C. Third-degree burns; nerve endings are destroyed
D. Pain is equal in all degrees of burns

Answer 1

Third-degree burns are less painful because the nerve endings are destroyed, unlike first and second-degree burns, which only damage or expose the nerves without destroying them.

Step-by-step explanation:

The proper answer to the question is C. Third-degree burns; nerve endings are destroyed. In third-degree burns, the damage extends through the epidermis and dermis and destroys the tissue, including the nerve endings responsible for sending pain signals to the brain. Because these sensory nerves are destroyed, the person experiencing a third-degree burn may feel less pain compared to first or second-degree burns where the nerve endings are still intact. Despite this lack of pain sensation, third-degree burns are very serious and require immediate medical attention.

First-degree burns are superficial and tend to be painful because the nerve endings are irritated but not destroyed. Second-degree burns involve blistering and are painful due to the exposure of nerve endings. By contrast, the destruction of nerve endings in third-degree burns leads to a counterintuitive decrease in pain sensation even though these burns are more severe.