The rule of nines is used to calculate
A) cardiac or respiratory failure.
B) the percentage of body surface affected by burns.
C) the type of thermal trauma.
D) all of the above.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Diagnosis is made by visual examination and history. In a flame type of burn, it is necessary to determine whether the burn occurred inside an enclosed space or out in the open. The respiratory state of any patient with a flame type of burn must be assessed. The status of the eyebrows, eyelashes, and nasal hair must be determined. Any singeing of these hairs indicates that the patient inhaled the flame or superheated air and that the respiratory status may be in grave danger.
Determination of the depth (see Figure 15-9) and extent (see Figure 15-10) of a burn is important. Pain intensity depends on the amount of nerve tissue that is involved or destroyed. Superficial burns involve only the outer layers of the skin, which usually appear only reddened, and yet these burns are painful. Partial-thickness burns involve all layers of the skin; they produce blisters and are quite painful. Full-thickness burns involve both the skin and the underlying subcutaneous tissue. Resultant destruction of nerve endings often results in minimal pain in that particular area; however, pain may be reported in areas around the periphery of the burn site. Prompt assessment of the percent of skin surface area involved in the burn injury is achieved by applying the rule of nines. The rule of nines provides a fast and fairly accurate calculation of the body surface involved. Percentages used to ascertain the burned tissue area in the adult are as follows: head, 9%; anterior trunk, 18%; posterior trunk, 18%; entire right arm, 9%; entire left arm, 9%; anterior surface right leg, 9%; posterior surface right leg, 9%; anterior surface left leg, 9%; posterior surface left leg, 9%; and perineum, 1%. Percentages in children and infants are slightly different. Another method of designating a percentage of body surface involvement is used by the ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM code books. Refer to the current edition of the ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM code books for these percentages.

The Rule of Nines Is Used to Calculate