A 21-year-old male has sustained a severe burn to his left leg while working on an industrial furnace. Coworkers immediately doused his flaming pants and removed them. Your primary assessment reveals no threats to the airway, breathing, or circulation. While performing the secondary assessment on his leg, what finding would be most critical?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A partial-thickness burn completely encircling the knee is most critical because it can lead to compartment syndrome, a condition where pressure within the muscles builds to dangerous levels. This can decrease blood flow, preventing nourishment and oxygen from reaching nerve and muscle cells.

A 21-Year-Old Male Has Sustained a Severe Burn to His