A man scalded by hot water has burns covering the whole front of his trunk and the whole of his left arm. Using the rule of nines, what is the approximate total body surface area burned?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. 27 percent

  1. Step 1: The rule of nines gives 18 percent for the anterior trunk and 9 percent for each arm in an adult.
  2. Step 2: 18 + 9 = 27 percent.
Answer
27 percent.
Why not the others: 36 percent, counting the two arms and the front of the trunk: 36 percent would need both arms to be burned. 45 percent, counting the whole trunk front and back with the arm: 45 percent would count the posterior trunk, which was not burned. 18 percent, counting only the front of the trunk: 18 percent omits the arm.

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