Which of the following best describes a third-degree burn?

The choice that describes a third-degree burn accurately is one that illustrates the severity and characteristics of the injury. A third-degree burn is a severe type of burn that extends through the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and into the deeper layers (dermis), destroying the skin down to the fat layer beneath.

It may present as charred or white, showing a leathery texture, and it typically does not exhibit the same level of pain as less severe burns, as the nerve endings in the affected skin are also damaged. This is crucial for understanding how serious third-degree burns are and the extensive nature of the damage they cause, which often requires specialized medical treatment and may lead to significant complications, such as risk of infection and loss of function in the affected area.

Other descriptions, such as those involving only the outer layer of skin or resulting in blisters, pertain to first-degree and second-degree burns respectively, which are less severe. Therefore, the description of a third-degree burn as one that destroys the skin down to fat and may appear charred is the most accurate representation of this type of burn.