Trauma and burns: scald pattern suggesting non-accidental injury: practice question

A General Surgery 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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General Surgery · Trauma and burns: scald pattern suggesting non-accidental injury

Sample item

A 2-year-old child is brought with scalds. Which pattern most strongly suggests a non-accidental injury?

ASymmetrical burns of both feet and ankles with a sharp upper margin and sparing of the creasesBA palm burn from touching a hot oven doorCA single irregular scald on the chest with splash marks, from a pulled cup of teaDScattered small burns on the forearm from spilt coffee

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Symmetrical burns of both feet and ankles with a sharp upper margin and sparing of the creases

Forced immersion produces symmetrical burns with sharp margins, a stocking or glove distribution, and sparing of flexed skin creases or areas pressed against the container. Accidental scalds usually show irregular edges, splash marks and a pattern of flow. Suspicion needs a child protection assessment.

Option by option

A. Symmetrical burns of both feet and ankles with a sharp upper margin and sparing of the creases (correct)
Correct. Symmetrical stocking burns with sharp margins and sparing of creases indicate forced immersion.
B. A palm burn from touching a hot oven door
A palm burn from touching a hot surface is a typical accidental contact burn.
C. A single irregular scald on the chest with splash marks, from a pulled cup of tea
An irregular pattern with splash marks is typical of a pulled-over hot drink.
D. Scattered small burns on the forearm from spilt coffee
Scattered small burns are consistent with accidental spills.

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.

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is A, Symmetrical burns of both feet and ankles with a sharp upper margin and sparing of the creases. Forced immersion produces symmetrical burns with sharp margins, a stocking or glove distribution, and sparing of flexed skin creases or areas pressed against the container.

Why is "A palm burn from touching a hot oven door" not the answer?

A palm burn from touching a hot surface is a typical accidental contact burn.

Why is "A single irregular scald on the chest with splash marks, from a pulle…" not the answer?

An irregular pattern with splash marks is typical of a pulled-over hot drink.

Why is "Scattered small burns on the forearm from spilt coffee" not the answer?

Scattered small burns are consistent with accidental spills.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Trauma and burns: scald pattern suggesting non-accidental injury in General Surgery. Accidental scalds usually show irregular edges, splash marks and a pattern of flow. Suspicion needs a child protection assessment.

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 Trauma and burns: scald pattern suggesting non-accidental injury?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.