Question

An adult client experiences a gasoline tank fire when riding a motorcycle and is admitted tois emergency department (ED) with full thickness burns to all surfaces of both lower extremities. What percentage of body surface area shouldis nurse document inis electronic medical record (EMR)?

•9 %
•18 %
•36 %
•45 %

Answer 1

The nurse should document 36% of body surface area in the electronic medical record (EMR).

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should document 36% of body surface area in the electronic medical record (EMR).

When assessing burns, healthcare professionals often use the 'rule of nines' to estimate the percentage of body surface area affected. According to the rule of nines, each lower extremity represents 18% of the total body surface area. Therefore, both lower extremities combined would account for 36% (18% + 18%) of the body surface area.