Surgery · Trauma and Emergency Surgery (ATLS, Burns, Abdominal Trauma, Head Injury)

Wallace rule of nines is used to estimate burn surface area in adults. A patient with burns involving the entire right upper limb, the anterior thorax, and the perineum: what is the total BSA% burned?

  • A 27%
  • B 29%
  • C 30%
  • D 28%
Correct answer: D. 28%

Explanation

Using the Rule of Nines in adults: entire right upper limb = 9%, anterior thorax (anterior chest + anterior abdomen) = 9% + 9% = 18%, perineum = 1%. Total = 9 + 18 + 1 = 28%. Each upper limb is 9%, each lower limb 18%, anterior trunk 18%, posterior trunk 18%, head 9%, and perineum 1%. This calculation is important for fluid resuscitation using the Parkland formula.

Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.

Sponsored

Want to test yourself?

Create a free account for timed mock tests, mistake tracking, and FSRS spaced-repetition revision across 23,000+ MCQs.

Start free → Log in

More Trauma and Emergency Surgery (ATLS, Burns, Abdominal Trauma, Head Injury) MCQs

See all Trauma and Emergency Surgery (ATLS, Burns, Abdominal Trauma, Head Injury) MCQs →