When trying to discern the extent of a burn, the nurse will note that second-degree burns are characterized by:

Burns are classified by depth of tissue involvement. Second-degree burns, also called partial-thickness burns, extend through the entire epidermis and into the dermis but do not destroy it completely. Because viable nerve endings and pain receptors in the dermis are exposed, these burns are characteristically extremely painful. Damage to the dermal capillaries causes plasma to leak into the tissue and accumulate beneath the epidermal surface, producing the hallmark fluid-filled blisters. The wound bed appears reddish-pink and moist due to exposed dermis and serum weeping from damaged capillaries. The option describing clotted blood vessels visible under the skin describes full-thickness burns, where the dermis and deeper vasculature are destroyed and thrombosis of dermal vessels may be visible. Extension into subcutaneous tissue is characteristic of third-degree or even fourth-degree (full-thickness) burns, which destroy all dermal layers and may reach fat, muscle, or bone. Redness without blister formation describes a first-degree (superficial) burn, which involves only the superficial epidermis — like a mild sunburn — and does not penetrate deep enough to damage capillaries sufficiently to produce blisters. Understanding burn depth guides treatment decisions including fluid resuscitation, wound care, and need for surgical grafting.