Question
A patient has burns involving the face, both upper limbs and front of the chest. What is the percentage of burns involved?
| A. |
27 to 30
|
| B. |
30 to 37
|
| C. |
38 to 42
|
| D. |
25 to 48
|
Show Answer
|
Correct Answer » B
Explanation
|
|
Burn percentage is most commonly estimated using the Rule of Nines in adults. This method assigns specific percentages to major body areas to calculate total body surface area (TBSA) involved in burns.
Rule of Nines (for Adults):
|
Body Part
|
% TBSA
|
|
Head and Neck (total)
|
9%
|
|
Each upper limb
|
9%
|
|
Anterior trunk
|
18%
|
|
Posterior trunk
|
18%
|
|
Each lower limb
|
18%
|
|
Perineum
|
1%
|
Breakdown for the Given Case:
-
Face: Part of the head and neck → approximately 4.5%
-
Both upper limbs: Each arm is 9%, so 2 × 9% = 18%
-
Front of chest: Part of anterior trunk, which is 18%, and chest is roughly half → 9%
Total = 4.5% (face) + 18% (arms) + 9% (chest) = 31.5%
