In the context of a burn injury with broken skin, swelling, and blisters, which type of burn is most likely present?

A burn injury characterized by broken skin, swelling, and blisters indicates damage to both the epidermis and the dermis layers of the skin, which is typical of a partial thickness burn. In partial thickness burns, the injury destroys part of the epidermis and extends into the dermis, leading to the formation of blisters as the dermal layers respond to injury. This type of burn is painful and can appear red, swollen, and moist, and it is important to note the presence of blisters that develop as a direct result of local tissue damage.

First-degree burns, which are limited to the epidermis, would not present with broken skin or blisters, only redness and mild pain. Full thickness burns and third-degree burns, on the other hand, involve complete destruction of the epidermis and dermis, potentially extending into subcutaneous tissue, which would lead to a dry, leathery appearance without blisters. Therefore, the presence of broken skin and blisters strongly points to a partial thickness burn as the most accurate description of the injury.