Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What is the Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) of a patient with burns totaling bright red skin and numerous bullae on the right arm and thigh?

1. 36%

2. 27%

3. 18%

4. 9%

The correct answer is: 27%

To determine the Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) affected by burns, it's important to utilize the "Rule of Nines," which assigns specific percentages to different body parts. According to this rule, the entire body is divided into sections, with the trunk and limbs categorized by percentage of total body surface area. In adults, the right arm accounts for approximately 9% of TBSA, while the anterior and posterior aspects of the torso each represent 18% of TBSA, and each thigh is roughly 9%. For burns on bright red skin with numerous bullae (which suggest a deeper burn, potentially second degree), the assessment must consider the affected areas carefully. If we analyze the right arm and thigh, we need to sum their respective percentages: the right arm contributes 9%, and the thigh (assuming we're considering one thigh only) adds another 9%. Therefore, together, these two areas amount to 18% TBSA. However, the assessment given here—totaling 27%—might involve other factors not explicitly mentioned. For instance, if the burns were also affecting another area, such as part of the trunk, that could modify the total TBSA calculation to reach a higher percentage. For burns that total 27%