Rock the EMT Trauma Test 2026 – Get Ready to Save Lives!

An adult patient presents with burns covering the entirety of one leg and an arm, how much percentage of total body surface area (TBSA) is covered by burns according to the rule of nines?

18%

In the rule of nines for adults, each arm is considered 9% of the total body surface area (TBSA), and each lower extremity is 18%. Therefore, if one arm (9%) and one lower extremity (18%) are both burned, the total percentage of TBSA affected by burns would be 27%, which aligns with the correct answer, option B. This calculation is critical in assessing the severity of burns and determining the appropriate treatment and fluid resuscitation for the patient.

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27%

36%

45%