Burn Evaluation
Reviewed
A burn evaluation is an exam by a healthcare provider to determine the severity of a burn. It checks the depth (degree) of the burn and the percentage of the body's surface area that is burned. This information guides treatment decisions, such as whether hospitalization or burn center care is needed. The evaluation is performed immediately after the patient is stable and includes checking for life-threatening conditions.
Preparation and collection
No special preparation is needed. In an emergency, the provider will remove clothing and assess the burn as part of immediate care.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- Burn evaluation is a clinical assessment, not a laboratory test, and relies on the provider's judgment.
- First-degree burns are not included in the percentage of total body surface area calculation.
- Interpretation of severity and treatment decisions should be made by a healthcare professional.
What to do next
Your provider will explain the results and recommend a treatment plan. For minor burns, home care may be sufficient. For moderate burns, hospital care may be needed. Severe burns require specialized care at a burn center.