Which client most likely suffers sunburn?

• A. Client 1 - pink-red, mild edema, pain, no blisters, no eschar, 3-6d healing
• B. Client 2 - red-white, moderate edema, pain, blisters rare, no eschar, 2w healing time
• C. Client 3 - black-brown, severe edema, no pain, no blisters, hard and inelastic eschar, weeks-months healing time
• D. Client 4 - black, no edema, no pain, no blisters, hard and inelastic eschar, weeks to months healing time

Answer: (A)

Sunburn is a superficial burn from UV exposure, so it typically shows pink to red skin, mild swelling, pain, and usually no blisters or hard dead tissue (eschar); healing happens in a few days. The client described as pink-red with mild edema, pain, no blisters, no eschar, and a 3–6 day healing time fits this pattern exactly, indicating a sunburn.

The other descriptions point to deeper burns: red-white skin with more edema and longer healing (often with blisters) suggests a deeper partial-thickness burn; dark colors with a hard, inelastic eschar and no pain indicate a full-thickness burn, which heals over weeks to months. These features are not typical of sunburn, which lacks eschar and blisters and heals more quickly.