PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What type of burns primarily cause internal destruction following nerves, blood vessels, and fascia?

1. Thermal burns

2. Electrical burns

3. Chemical burns

4. Radiation burns

The correct answer is: Electrical burns

Electrical burns are particularly notorious for causing internal destruction that may not be immediately visible on the skin's surface. When electricity travels through the body, it can create a significant amount of heat and damage internal tissues. This damage can extend beyond the skin to affect nerves, blood vessels, and fascia. The pathway of the electrical current determines the extent of tissue injury. For instance, high-voltage electrical injuries can lead to severe damage to deep tissues, including muscle and nerve pathways, which may not present with corresponding external injuries. This internal destruction can lead to complications like rhabdomyolysis, vascular damage, and even cardiac rhythm disturbances. The severity of electrical burns is often underestimated because the external appearance may be minimal compared to the profound internal trauma. In contrast, while thermal, chemical, and radiation burns can indeed cause significant damage, they generally do not penetrate the body to the same degree as electrical burns in terms of internal structures. Thermal burns primarily affect the skin and underlying tissues through direct heat exposure. Chemical burns cause damage based on the corrosive nature of the substances involved but are also surface-focused. Radiation burns usually result from prolonged exposure to radiation and primarily impact the skin rather than the deeper structures in the same manner as electrical burns. This makes electrical