Which category of impaired tissue integrity would be classified as caused by exposure to extreme heat?

The classification of impaired tissue integrity caused by exposure to extreme heat falls under thermal or radiation injury. This category specifically addresses damage to the tissues resulting from high temperatures, which can lead to burns and other heat-related injuries. When the skin or underlying tissues are exposed to extreme heat, the proteins in the skin can denature, leading to cell damage and death.

Thermal injuries can vary in severity depending on the intensity of the heat and the duration of exposure, ranging from first-degree burns (affecting only the outer layer of skin) to more severe third-degree burns (affecting deeper layers and potentially harming underlying structures). This classification focuses specifically on the direct impact that heat has on tissue integrity, distinguishing it from other causes of tissue impairment such as infections, loss of blood flow (perfusion), or immune responses, which involve different mechanisms and contexts of tissue damage.