Using the rule of nines in an adult, what percentage of body surface area is the head and both arms?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. 27%
- Step 1: In adults, the head is 9%, each arm 9%, the front of the trunk 18%, the back of the trunk 18%, each leg 18% and the perineum 1%.
- Step 2: Adding the relevant regions gives 27%.
Answer
27%.
Why not the others: '36%' adds an extra region of 9%; '18%' omits one region of 9%; '54%' doubles the correct figure.
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