Burns and Burn Injury Q 87

---

A client is brought to the emergency unit with third-degree burns on the posterior trunk, right arm, and left posterior leg. Using the Rule of Nines, what is the total body surface area (TBSA) that has been burned?

  

    A. 36%

    B. 54%

    C. 45%

    D. 27%

    

    

Correct Answer: A. 36%

---

The Rule of Nines, also known as the Wallace Rule of Nines, is a tool used by trauma and emergency medicine providers to assess the total body surface area (TBSA) involved in burn patients. Based on the rule of nines, the posterior trunk equals 18%, right arm equals 9%, and the left posterior leg equals 9%. Therefore, a total of 36%.

---

Option B: The Rule of Nines estimation of body surface area burned is based on assigning percentages to different body areas. The entire head is estimated as 9% (4.5% for anterior and posterior). The entire trunk is estimated at 36% and can be further broken down into 18% for anterior components and 18% for the back.

Option C: The anterior aspect of the trunk can further be divided into chest (9%) and abdomen (9%). The upper extremities total 18% and thus 9% for each upper extremity. Each upper extremity can further be divided into anterior (4.5%) and posterior (4.5%).

Option D: The lower extremities are estimated at 36%, 18% for each lower extremity. Again this can be further divided into 9% for the anterior and 9% for the posterior aspect. The groin is estimated at 1%.

---