AEMCA Practice Exam

In burn assessment, how much of the total body surface area does an adult hand (palm only) represent?

1. 5%

2. 1%

3. 9%

4. 3%

The correct answer is: 1%

In burn assessment, the rule of nines is often used to quickly estimate the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burns in adults. According to this method, the palm of an adult hand (excluding fingers) accounts for approximately 1% of the total body surface area. This approach allows healthcare professionals to gauge the severity of burns and determine the appropriate course of treatment. Using the palm as a measurement tool can be particularly helpful in clinical settings, as it provides a simplified way to quantify smaller burn areas without the need for complex calculations. Other options, while relevant to larger body areas (like entire limbs or the trunk), do not specifically correspond to the surface area represented by an adult hand. Hence, 1% is the accurate representation of how much of the total body surface area is taken up by just the palm of the hand.