I was saying "Boo-urns"! Trivia Quiz

Answer: How deep into the skin the burn penetrates

First degree burns are superficial, affecting only the topmost layer of skin (the epidermis). Second degree burns extend into the dermis, and may be superficial or deep. Burns that penetrate the full layer of the dermis are classified as third degree, while the most severe (fourth degree burns) extend through the full skin thickness into underlying tissue such as fat, muscle and bone.

Answer: Mustard gas

All four options are chemical weapons whose use in warfare is prohibited under international law. Tear gas, phosgene and mustard gas were deployed in WWI while sarin is a more recent invention.

Mustard gas, also known as mustard agent or sulfur mustard, causes first and second degree chemical burns to a victim's skin, lung and eyes. While phosgene was responsible for many more fatalities during the war, mustard gas was a source of great fear due to the extremely painful blisters that develop as much as 24 hours after exposure. Long after the war ended scientists also discovered that victims of mustard gas attacks experienced elevated rates of cancer later in life.

Answer: The source of the injury

The Baux score was originally calculated by adding the patient's age to the percentage of total body surface area (TBSA) burned. Patients with a score of 140 or more rarely survived. As a result of research in recent decades the method was revised to add an extra 17 points to the total if the patient's airway was affected. Advances in treatment have improved the outlook for burns victims generally, but the Baux score is still considered a useful prognostic indicator, especially for elderly patients.

Answer: Infection

Hypovolemic shock (extreme fluid loss) can occur in the most severe burn cases, as can scarring that impairs the patient's ability to eat, drink or breathe properly. However, infections are the most common serious potential complication, and can set in after relatively minor burns.

For example, blisters that result from second-degree burns are at risk of becoming infected if not treated properly; wound care including antiseptic treatment is therefore a very important facet of burn management.

Answer: True

When an electrical current passes through the body - for example, when a person touches a power line, electrified water, or is struck by lightning - the victim suffers burns at the point of entry and exit. However, the superficial burns are often dwarfed by internal damage as electricity travels through conductive internal organs. Effects can include strong muscle spasms, destruction of blood vessels, nerve damage and cardiac failure.

Answer: Prolonged exposure to the sun

Sunburn is caused by the ultraviolet radiation in natural light. Symptoms range from mild heat, redness and soreness to swelling, fatigue, nausea, blistering and peeling skin. Severe sunburn can penetrate through the epidermis to the dermal layer of skin, classified as a second degree burn. In rare cases sunburn can be life threatening - babies and young children are at greatest risk of suffering from burns that require hospital care.

The most common serious effect of sunburn is an increased risk of developing skin cancer. Even mild burns can pose a significant risk if they occur repeatedly.

Answer: Bangladesh

Strong acids in contact with the skin cause severe chemical burns and scars, and when thrown at a victim's face (as is often the case in these attacks), can lead to blindness, deafness, and problems eating and speaking, among other long-term disabilities. The psychological effects of acid attacks can also be devastating.

While acid attacks have been reported in all regions of the world, this particular form of assault is most common in South Asia.

Answer: Immolation

"To immolate" means to sacrifice or destroy by fire. It is derived from the Latin word "immolāre", which refers to the practice of sprinkling a holy meal over an offering before sacrificing it.

In earlier times the concept of self-immolation referred to any of a variety of forms of suicide, but in recent decades it is most often used to describe a person setting themselves on fire as a form of protest or martyrdom to a cause.

Answer: Run the affected skin under cool water

Thermal burns result when skin comes into contact with hot objects, liquid or steam, or fire. Scalds (burns caused by hot liquids) are particularly common among young children. Running cool water over the affected area helps to reduce the heat and associated pain, but, of course, if the injury is serious or involves eyes, respiratory tract or other sensitive areas medical attention should be sought immediately. Do not place ice directly on burned areas: this will only risk further damage! Home remedies such as butter have not been shown to be effective, and compression bandages likewise may do more harm than good.

Answer: Spray-on skin

The treatment was jointly developed by Dr Wood and Dr Marie Stoner. It aims to dramatically reduce scarring associated with skin grafts by growing replacement cells in the lab to transplant to patients as soon as possible after the original injury. Dr Wood was named Australian of the Year in 2005.