CAISS External and Thermal 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to AIS coding, a full-thickness burn covering 20% TBSA in an adult is assigned which severity level?
- AIS 2
- AIS 3
- AIS 4 (Correct answer)
- AIS 5
Correct answer: AIS 4
Full-thickness burns covering 10–29% TBSA in adults are coded AIS 4 (severe) in the External and Thermal body region.
Question 2: When using the Rule of Nines to estimate TBSA burned in an adult, what percentage is assigned to one entire lower extremity?
- 9%
- 18% (Correct answer)
- 13.5%
- 4.5%
Correct answer: 18%
Each lower extremity represents 18% of TBSA in the adult Rule of Nines.
Question 3: An AIS coder encounters a wound described as 'dermis intact with erythema and pain only.' What burn depth classification applies?
- Partial thickness superficial
- Partial thickness deep
- Full thickness
- Superficial (first degree) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Superficial (first degree)
Superficial (first-degree) burns affect only the epidermis, presenting as erythema with intact dermis and no blistering.
Question 4: Which AIS descriptor best characterizes an isolated degloving injury to the forearm with no underlying structural damage?
- AIS 1 — minor
- AIS 2 — moderate (Correct answer)
- AIS 3 — serious
- AIS 4 — severe
Correct answer: AIS 2 — moderate
A localized degloving injury without involvement of bone, vessel, or nerve is typically coded AIS 2 in the External region.
Question 5: In the AIS, which body region code is used for injuries to the skin and subcutaneous tissue that do not fit under a specific anatomic region?
- Region 1 (Head)
- Region 8 (Unspecified)
- Region 6 (External) (Correct answer)
- Region 7 (Thermal)
Correct answer: Region 6 (External)
AIS Region 6 (External) captures skin and subcutaneous injuries not attributable to another specific anatomic region.
Question 6: A patient has partial-thickness burns to both palms. Using the palmar method, approximately what TBSA is involved?
- 0.5%
- 1%
- 2% (Correct answer)
- 4%
Correct answer: 2%
Each palm (including fingers) represents approximately 1% TBSA, so both palms equal roughly 2%.
Question 7: Which characteristic distinguishes a deep partial-thickness burn from a superficial partial-thickness burn on clinical examination?
- Presence of erythema only
- Blisters with moist, painful base
- Pale/waxy appearance with reduced sensation (Correct answer)
- Dry, leathery eschar
Correct answer: Pale/waxy appearance with reduced sensation
Deep partial-thickness burns destroy most of the dermis, producing a pale or waxy appearance with diminished pain sensation due to nerve damage.
CAISS External and Thermal 2
According to AIS coding, a full-thickness burn covering 20% TBSA in an adult is assigned which severity level?