Forensics/Autopsy: Practice Question

An autopsy is performed on a 23 year old male who died in a house fire. His anterior torso and entire bilateral upper extremities and entire left lower extremity are burned. What approximate percentage body surface area was burned?
  1. 54%
  2. 18%
  3. 27%
  4. 36%
  5. 45%
Show Answer and Explanations

54% — Correct answer

Correct. Rule of 9's: Head: 9% (18% in a baby), anterior trunk: 18%, posterior trunk: 18%, upper extremity: 9%, lower extremity: 18%, perineum: 1%.

18%

Incorrect. Rule of 9's: Head: 9% (18% in a baby), anterior trunk: 18%, posterior trunk: 18%, upper extremity: 9%, lower extremity: 18%, perineum: 1%. 18% would be the anterior or posterior trunk alone, or both arms, or 1 leg, or the head and one arm etc.

27%

Incorrect. Rule of 9's: Head: 9% (18% in a baby), anterior trunk: 18%, posterior trunk: 18%, upper extremity: 9%, lower extremity: 18%, perineum: 1%. 27% would be the anterior trunk and an arm, or the head, etc.

36%

Incorrect. Rule of 9's: Head: 9% (18% in a baby), anterior trunk: 18%, posterior trunk: 18%, upper extremity: 9%, lower extremity: 18%, perineum: 1%. 36% would be the anterior and posterior trunk, or both legs, etc.

45%

Incorrect. Rule of 9's: Head: 9% (18% in a baby), anterior trunk: 18%, posterior trunk: 18%, upper extremity: 9%, lower extremity: 18%, perineum: 1%. Each arm is 9% surface area, the head covers 9% surface area, an anterior surface or posterior surface of a leg is 9% etc.

Summary

Summary: Rule of 9's: Head: 9% (18% in a baby), anterior trunk: 18%, posterior trunk: 18%, upper extremity: 9%, lower extremity: 18%, perineum: 1%.
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