Question

The nurse on the burn unit is caring for an adolescent with burns to the face and anterior neck, anterior chest, bilateral arms circumferentially, and the right anterior leg. Based on the Rule of Nines, calculate the body surface area that is burned. Record your answer using one decimal place.

Rule of Nines Surface area
Anterior head 4.5%
Posterior head 4.5%
Anterior torso 18%
Posterior torso 18%
Anterior leg, each 9%
Posterior leg, each 9%
Anterior arm, each 4.5%
Posterior arm, each 4.5%
Genitalia/perineum 1%

Answer 1

The body surface area burned can be calculated using the Rule of Nines, which assigns percentages to specific affected areas. The total body surface area burned in this case is 49.5%.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the Rule of Nines, the body surface area that is burned can be calculated by adding up the percentages associated with each affected area. In this case, the burns are to the face and anterior neck (4.5%), anterior chest (18%), bilateral arms (18%), and right anterior leg (9%).

So the total body surface area burned is:

• Face and anterior neck: 4.5%
• Anterior chest: 18%
• Bilateral arms: 18%
• Right anterior leg: 9%

Adding these percentages together, the total body surface area burned is 49.5%.