When assessing a burn patient, which of the following methods is least reliable for estimating burn depth?

Estimating burn depth is crucial for determining the appropriate treatment approach and prognosis for a burn patient. Among the methods listed, evaluating the patient's subjective pain report is particularly informative, as the level of pain often correlates well with the depth of the burn. For example, deeper burns (like third-degree burns) may have reduced pain sensation due to nerve damage, while superficial burns (like first-degree burns) tend to be very painful.

Color and texture of the skin provide valuable visual clues regarding burn depth as well. First-degree burns present with redness and dryness, while deeper burns reveal varying colors and skin texture changes, such as blisters or charring.

Assessing temperature at the site can also be helpful, as it tends to reflect the integrity of surviving tissue but may not directly correspond to depth due to variations in circulation or external factors affecting skin temperature.

Bleeding on needle prick is a reliable indicator for assessing dermal involvement. If a burn is deep enough to damage blood vessels, it will typically bleed upon pricking the skin.

However, while temperature is a physiological indicator, it can be influenced by numerous factors such as ambient conditions, the patient’s circulation, and other variables, making it less reliable than the other methods listed. Therefore, temperature measurement