A 45-year-old industrial worker is brought to the emergency department after a chemical vat exploded. He sustained deep partial-thickness burns. Physical examination reveals burns covering his entire anterior trunk (chest and abdomen), his entire right upper extremity (both anterior and posterior surfaces), and his entire right lower extremity (both anterior and posterior surfaces). No other areas of the body are affected.
Based on the Rule of Nines, what is the estimated total body surface area (TBSA) percentage affected by burns in this patient?
Answer: 45 %
Answer
45
The adult Rule of Nines is a standardized method used to estimate the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burns. It divides the body into sections representing multiples of 9%. In adults, the anterior trunk accounts for 18%, the posterior trunk accounts for 18%, each entire upper extremity accounts for 9%, each entire lower extremity accounts for 18%, the entire head and neck accounts for 9%, and the perineum accounts for 1%. For this patient, the calculation includes the anterior trunk (18%), the entire right upper extremity (9%), and the entire right lower extremity (18%). Adding these values together (18 + 9 + 18) yields a TBSA of 45%.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Estimation of burn size using the Rule of Nines