Question

A woman has burns on the anterior surfaces of her right arm, chest, and right leg. The body surface area (BSA) or the percentage of body surface area burned is approximately:

a. 13.5%
b. 18%
c. 22.5%
d. 31.5%

Answer 1

Using the 'rule of nines', the body surface area burned on the woman's right arm, chest, and right leg is calculated by adding 4.5% for the anterior surface of one arm, 9% for the anterior surface of the chest, and 4.5% for the anterior surface of one leg, totaling 18%.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the body surface area (BSA) that has been burned on the woman mentioned, the "rule of nines" is typically utilized. This rule is used to estimate the BSA affected by burns by dividing the body into areas that represent 9% of the body surface or multiples thereof.

According to the rule of nines:

• The entire arm accounts for 9% of the body surface area.
• The chest (front of the torso) accounts for 18%.
• The entire leg accounts for 18%, but since only the anterior (front) surface is affected, it will account for 9%.

Thus, if only the anterior surfaces of these areas are burned, we calculate the BSA as follows for each affected area:

1. The anterior surface of one arm: 4.5% (half of 9%).
2. The anterior surface of the chest: 9% (half of 18%).
3. The anterior surface of one leg: 4.5% (half of 9%).

Combining these percentages:

4.5% + 9% + 4.5% = 18%

This gives us a total estimate of the BSA burned as 18%.