During field assessment of a burn, which information is essential to determine severity?

• A. Depth and extent
• B. Color of clothing
• C. Time of day
• D. Age of patient

Answer: (A)

In field burn assessment, the two pieces of information that tell you how severe a burn is are how deep the injury goes and how much of the body is affected. Depth reveals tissue involvement—from superficial to full thickness—which directly affects healing potential and the level of care needed. Extent, or the percentage of total body surface area burned, indicates overall fluid loss risk and the need for more rapid evacuation or advanced medical care. Together, depth and extent lead you to classify burn severity and decide on the appropriate management, such as fluid resuscitation and triage. Other factors like color of clothing, time of day, or the patient’s age might influence ancillary decisions or prognosis, but they don’t define the injury’s severity.