Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

Which statement regarding severe burns is correct?

1. Significant hypovolemia occurs immediately after the burn injury

2. Significant hypovolemia may not occur for several hours following the burn injury

3. Severe burns always require surgical intervention

4. All burn injuries result in hypovolemia

The correct answer is: Significant hypovolemia may not occur for several hours following the burn injury

The correct statement is that significant hypovolemia may not occur for several hours following the burn injury. After a severe burn, the body undergoes a physiological response that includes the loss of fluid from the burned tissue, which can lead to hypovolemia. However, this fluid loss does not happen instantaneously; it can take several hours for the full extent of fluid loss to manifest as hypovolemia, especially as capillary permeability increases and plasma leaks into the surrounding tissues. Understanding the dynamics of fluid loss in burn injuries is crucial for appropriate management. Immediate hypovolemia may not be evident right after a burn occurs, and medical intervention must be timely to prevent complications related to fluid loss. In contrast, significant hypovolemia occurring immediately after the burn injury is more typical of other forms of trauma rather than burn injuries. While surgical interventions are often necessary for severe burns, not all cases require immediate surgery, and the decision for surgical intervention depends on various factors such as the degree of burn and the condition of the patient. Lastly, stating that all burn injuries result in hypovolemia is misleading, as minor burns may not result in any significant fluid loss.