Burns (surface area estimation) — DIPIMC MCQ

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ModeratePre-Hospital TraumaBurns (surface area estimation)DIPIMC DipIMC

An adult sustains a scald with blistering, partial-thickness burns covering the whole of the anterior trunk and the entire circumference of one arm. You are estimating the burn surface area using the rule of nines.

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: B — 27%

Explanation lettering: C = shown as B · D = shown as C · E = shown as D · B = shown as E

Using the Wallace rule of nines, the anterior trunk accounts for 18% and an entire arm for 9%, giving a total of 27%. Stopping at 18% (B) counts only the trunk and forgets the arm, while 36% (D) double-counts a region. Accurate surface-area estimation guides fluid resuscitation thresholds and the decision to involve a burns centre.

Reference: JRCALC Clinical Guidelines; NICE NG39