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Multiple Choice
Burns pose a greater risk to infants and children for which of the following reasons?
A
They have a slower metabolic rate, reducing their ability to heal.
B
They have a higher surface area to volume ratio, leading to faster fluid and heat loss.
C
Their immune systems are fully developed, causing excessive inflammation.
D
Their skin is thicker, making burns more severe.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the physiological differences between infants/children and adults. Infants and children have unique characteristics that affect their response to burns, such as their surface area to volume ratio, skin thickness, immune system development, and metabolic rate.
Analyze the statement about surface area to volume ratio. Infants and children have a higher surface area relative to their body volume compared to adults. This means they lose heat and fluids more quickly, which can exacerbate the effects of burns.
Evaluate the claim about metabolic rate. A slower metabolic rate would theoretically reduce healing ability, but this is not a characteristic of infants and children. Their metabolic rate is generally higher than adults, aiding in recovery.
Consider the statement about immune system development. Infants and children have developing immune systems, which may not cause excessive inflammation but rather make them more vulnerable to infections following burns.
Assess the claim about skin thickness. Infants and children have thinner skin compared to adults, which makes burns potentially more severe as the damage can penetrate deeper layers of tissue more easily.