A patient is admitted with burns over the legs, arms, and torso. What will be used to determine the
percentage of body surface area burned?
A. Number of eccrine glands affected
B. Amount of hair singed from the body
C. Rule of nines
D. Type of burn
To determine the percentage of body surface area burned in a patient with burns on the legs, arms, and torso, the healthcare provider would typically use the Rule of Nines.
C. Rule of Nines
The Rule of Nines is a method used to estimate the percentage of body surface area (BSA) affected by burns in adults. It is divided into regions, with each region accounting for a specific percentage.
Here's how it works:
1. The head and neck region account for 9% of the BSA.
2. Each arm (including the hand) accounts for 9%.
3. The front of the torso accounts for 18%, while the back of the torso also accounts for 18%.
4. Each leg (including the foot) accounts for 18%.
Using the Rule of Nines, the healthcare provider would assess the burn areas on the patient's legs, arms, and torso and then assign a percentage to each affected region. They would then add up the percentages to determine the total body surface area burned.
So, in this case, the answer is C. Rule of Nines.