Burns disrupt which function related to temperature control?

• A. Hearing
• B. Digestion
• C. Vision
• D. Thermoregulation

Answer: (D)

Burns disrupt the body's ability to regulate temperature because the skin is essential for thermoregulation. The skin insulates the body and contains sweat glands and a network of vessels that switch heat on or off in response to signals from the hypothalamus. When skin is damaged, insulation is lost and exposed tissue increases evaporative heat loss. Sweat glands may be destroyed or impaired, reducing cooling, while changes in cutaneous blood flow and edema interfere with how the body normally manages heat gain or loss. In large burns, the barrier is compromised and fluid loss plus inflammation further destabilize temperature control, making hypothermia a major risk.