Injuries: Dupuytren classification of burns: practice question

A Forensic Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Forensic Medicine · Injuries: Dupuytren classification of burns

Sample item

A worker's forearm burn has destroyed the whole thickness of the skin and heals with a puckered, contracting scar, but the deep fascia and muscle are intact. In Dupuytren's classification this is:

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Fourth degree

Dupuytren described six degrees: erythema, vesicles, destruction of the epidermis and papillary layer, destruction of the whole thickness of skin, involvement of deep fascia and muscle, and charring including bone. Whole-thickness skin loss with muscle intact is the fourth degree.

Option by option

  • A. Sixth degree

    Sixth degree is charring with involvement of bone.

  • B. Fifth degree

    Fifth degree involves the deep fascia and muscles, which are intact here.

  • C. Third degree

    Third degree is limited to the epidermis and papillary dermis.

  • D. Fourth degree (correct)

    Correct. The fourth degree destroys the full thickness of the skin.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Fourth degree. Dupuytren described six degrees: erythema, vesicles, destruction of the epidermis and papillary layer, destruction of the whole thickness of skin, involvement of deep fascia and muscle, and charring including bone.

Why is "Sixth degree" not the answer?

Sixth degree is charring with involvement of bone.

Why is "Fifth degree" not the answer?

Fifth degree involves the deep fascia and muscles, which are intact here.

Why is "Third degree" not the answer?

Third degree is limited to the epidermis and papillary dermis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Injuries: Dupuytren classification of burns in Forensic Medicine. Whole-thickness skin loss with muscle intact is the fourth degree.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Injuries: Dupuytren classification of burns?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.