First-degree burns are best described as:

• A. Epidermal damage only, localized redness, edema, and pain.
• B. Involve the full thickness of the skin and deep tissue.
• C. Cause blisters.
• D. Do not cause redness or pain.

Answer: (A)

First-degree burns affect only the epidermis, the outer skin layer. They cause localized redness (erythema), mild swelling, and pain, and they typically heal without scarring. This description matches epidermal damage with redness, edema, and pain. Burns that go deeper—into the full thickness of the skin and deeper tissues—have a different pattern and healing course. Blistering is more common with deeper burns, and a burn that lacks redness or pain would indicate a more severe injury with nerve involvement.