,NURS 4581 Exam 3 | Adult Complex Needs (2026) Q&A |
University of Texas at Arlington
1. Which of the following best defines a burn injury?
A) Tissue damage caused by exposure to extreme cold
B) Tissue damage caused by thermal, chemical, electrical, or radiation energy
C) Tissue damage caused by blunt force trauma
D) Tissue damage caused by prolonged pressure
Correct Answer: Tissue damage caused by thermal, chemical, electrical, or radiation
energy
Rationale: A burn injury is tissue damage caused by thermal, chemical, electrical, or
radiation energy. The severity depends on the temperature, duration of exposure, and type
of agent. Cold injuries and blunt trauma are separate mechanisms of injury.
2. According to the Rule of Nines, what percentage of total body surface area (TBSA) is
assigned to the entire head in an adult?
A) 4.5%
B) 9%
C) 18%
D) 27%
Correct Answer: 9%
Rationale: The Rule of Nines assigns 9% to the head (4.5% anterior and 4.5% posterior).
Each arm is 9%, each leg is 18%, the anterior trunk is 18%, the posterior trunk is 18%, and
the genitalia are 1%. This helps estimate fluid resuscitation needs.
,3. A client has partial-thickness burns over the entire anterior trunk and the entire right
leg. Using the Rule of Nines, what is the estimated TBSA burned?
A) 18%
B) 27%
C) 36%
D) 45%
Correct Answer: 36%
Rationale: The anterior trunk is 18%, and the entire right leg is 18% (9% anterior + 9%
posterior). 18% + 18% = 36% TBSA. This calculation guides fluid resuscitation using the
ABA formula.
4. Which of the following is the ABA formula for fluid resuscitation in the first 24 hours
after a burn injury?
A) 2 mL × body weight (kg) × % TBSA
B) 4 mL × body weight (kg) × % TBSA
C) 6 mL × body weight (kg) × % TBSA
D) 8 mL × body weight (kg) × % TBSA
Correct Answer: 4 mL × body weight (kg) × % TBSA
Rationale: The ABA formula recommends 4 mL of lactated Ringer's solution per kilogram
of body weight per percentage of TBSA burned in the first 24 hours. Half is given in the first
8 hours and the remaining half over the next 16 hours.
, 5. A client weighs 75 kg and has 40% TBSA burns. Using the ABA formula, how many mL of
fluid should be administered in the first 8 hours?
A) 3,000 mL
B) 6,000 mL
C) 9,000 mL
D) 12,000 mL
Correct Answer: 6,000 mL
Rationale: Total 24-hour fluid = 4 mL × 75 kg × 40% = 12,000 mL. Half of this (6,000 mL)
is given in the first 8 hours, and the remaining 6,000 mL is given over the next 16 hours.
Hourly urine output should be monitored as the endpoint.
6. Which type of burn injury is characterized by destruction of all layers of the skin,
including the subcutaneous tissue, and may involve muscle and bone?
A) Superficial burn
B) Superficial partial-thickness burn
C) Deep partial-thickness burn
D) Full-thickness burn
Correct Answer: Full-thickness burn
Rationale: Full-thickness (third-degree) burns destroy the epidermis, dermis, and
subcutaneous tissue. The wound appears white, waxy, or charred, and is painless because
nerve endings are destroyed. Grafting is usually required.
7. What is the primary complication associated with electrical burns?
A) Superficial tissue damage only
University of Texas at Arlington
1. Which of the following best defines a burn injury?
A) Tissue damage caused by exposure to extreme cold
B) Tissue damage caused by thermal, chemical, electrical, or radiation energy
C) Tissue damage caused by blunt force trauma
D) Tissue damage caused by prolonged pressure
Correct Answer: Tissue damage caused by thermal, chemical, electrical, or radiation
energy
Rationale: A burn injury is tissue damage caused by thermal, chemical, electrical, or
radiation energy. The severity depends on the temperature, duration of exposure, and type
of agent. Cold injuries and blunt trauma are separate mechanisms of injury.
2. According to the Rule of Nines, what percentage of total body surface area (TBSA) is
assigned to the entire head in an adult?
A) 4.5%
B) 9%
C) 18%
D) 27%
Correct Answer: 9%
Rationale: The Rule of Nines assigns 9% to the head (4.5% anterior and 4.5% posterior).
Each arm is 9%, each leg is 18%, the anterior trunk is 18%, the posterior trunk is 18%, and
the genitalia are 1%. This helps estimate fluid resuscitation needs.
,3. A client has partial-thickness burns over the entire anterior trunk and the entire right
leg. Using the Rule of Nines, what is the estimated TBSA burned?
A) 18%
B) 27%
C) 36%
D) 45%
Correct Answer: 36%
Rationale: The anterior trunk is 18%, and the entire right leg is 18% (9% anterior + 9%
posterior). 18% + 18% = 36% TBSA. This calculation guides fluid resuscitation using the
ABA formula.
4. Which of the following is the ABA formula for fluid resuscitation in the first 24 hours
after a burn injury?
A) 2 mL × body weight (kg) × % TBSA
B) 4 mL × body weight (kg) × % TBSA
C) 6 mL × body weight (kg) × % TBSA
D) 8 mL × body weight (kg) × % TBSA
Correct Answer: 4 mL × body weight (kg) × % TBSA
Rationale: The ABA formula recommends 4 mL of lactated Ringer's solution per kilogram
of body weight per percentage of TBSA burned in the first 24 hours. Half is given in the first
8 hours and the remaining half over the next 16 hours.
, 5. A client weighs 75 kg and has 40% TBSA burns. Using the ABA formula, how many mL of
fluid should be administered in the first 8 hours?
A) 3,000 mL
B) 6,000 mL
C) 9,000 mL
D) 12,000 mL
Correct Answer: 6,000 mL
Rationale: Total 24-hour fluid = 4 mL × 75 kg × 40% = 12,000 mL. Half of this (6,000 mL)
is given in the first 8 hours, and the remaining 6,000 mL is given over the next 16 hours.
Hourly urine output should be monitored as the endpoint.
6. Which type of burn injury is characterized by destruction of all layers of the skin,
including the subcutaneous tissue, and may involve muscle and bone?
A) Superficial burn
B) Superficial partial-thickness burn
C) Deep partial-thickness burn
D) Full-thickness burn
Correct Answer: Full-thickness burn
Rationale: Full-thickness (third-degree) burns destroy the epidermis, dermis, and
subcutaneous tissue. The wound appears white, waxy, or charred, and is painless because
nerve endings are destroyed. Grafting is usually required.
7. What is the primary complication associated with electrical burns?
A) Superficial tissue damage only
