On what percentage of body surface area has this patient suffered third degree burns?

To determine the percentage of body surface area affected by third-degree burns, it’s important to understand how burns are classified and estimated using the Rule of Nines or the Lund and Browder chart, both of which estimate the surface area involved.

In adults, the Rule of Nines divides the body into sections, with the head accounting for approximately 9%, each arm for about 9%, each leg for roughly 18%, the anterior torso for 18%, and the posterior torso for 18%, totaling 100%. When considering pediatric patients, these percentages vary.

In this case, if the correct answer is identified as 4%, it suggests a very small area of third-degree burns is involved. A burn involving 1% of body surface area is typically described as a very minor burn, affecting areas such as a few fingers or toes. Therefore, a 4% burn could indicate a larger area but still remains classified within minor injuries, possibly involving parts of one leg or an arm.

Understanding that third-degree burns affect the full thickness of the skin and may have serious implications for fluid loss and infection makes this estimation important. A burn covering about 4% does indicate a level of severity requiring proper management, but less than 10% suggests