AdvAnced Burn Life Support (ABLS)
certificAtion exAm: 100 QueStionS,
AnSwerS, And rAtionALeS ALreAdy
grAded A+
This comprehensive review is designed for the Advanced Burn Life Support (ABLS®)
certification, offered by the American Burn Association (ABA). The ABLS program provides
knowledge for immediate care of the burn patient up to the first 24 hours post-injury .
Exam Overview
The ABLS certification is available in two formats :
• ABLS Live: A 7-hour in-person course combining lectures, case studies, and hands-on
simulation. Testing consists of a written exam and a practical assessment . Participants
must pass the written exam with an 80% and the practical exam with a 3/5 . Cost: $175–
$375 .
• ABLS Now: An online, self-paced course with study questions after each lecture. Testing
consists only of a written exam . Cost: $249 .
Certification is valid for 4 years and requires renewal .
ABLS Course Content Domains:
1. Initial Assessment and Management (Primary/Secondary Surveys, %TBSA)
2. Airway Management and Inhalation Injury
3. Shock and Fluid Resuscitation (Parkland Formula)
4. Burn Wound Management
, 5. Electrical Injury
6. Chemical Burns
7. Pediatric Burn Injuries
8. Stabilization, Transfer, and Transport
9. Disaster Management
SECTION 1: INITIAL ASSESSMENT AND %TBSA ESTIMATION (Questions 1–15)
Q1. You are the first provider at the scene of a house fire. After ensuring scene safety, you
encounter a patient who is actively burning from residual flaming clothing. What is your
immediate first action?
A) Perform a primary survey
B) Remove the patient from the smoke-filled environment
C) Stop the burning process by dousing the flames or rolling the patient on the ground
D) Apply a cervical collar
Answer: C) Stop the burning process by dousing the flames or rolling the patient on the
ground
Rationale: The priority is to stop the burning process to prevent ongoing tissue damage . After
scene safety is assured, halting the burning process is the initial step before beginning the
primary survey and ABCDE assessment. Once the flames are out, the primary survey can
proceed.
Q2. In the ABCDE approach to burn patient assessment, which priority should generally be
addressed immediately before circulation assessment?
A) Airway and breathing evaluation
B) Nutritional supplementation planning
C) Scar management consultation
D) Physical therapy exercises
Answer: A) Airway and breathing evaluation
Rationale: Airway and breathing assessment are critical priorities because inhalation injuries
may rapidly become life-threatening emergencies . The primary survey follows the ABCDE
,sequence: Airway (with cervical spine protection), Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and
Exposure/Environment .
Q3. A 25-year-old man has full-thickness burns to both entire legs, the entire anterior trunk,
and the entire head. Using the Rule of Nines, what is the estimated %TBSA?
A) 54%
B) 63%
C) 72%
D) 81%
Answer: B) 63%
Rationale: The adult Rule of Nines assigns: each entire leg = 18% (9% anterior + 9% posterior),
anterior trunk = 18%, head = 9%, perineum = 1% . Both legs = 18% + 18% = 36%; anterior trunk
= 18%; head = 9%. Total = 36 + 18 + 9 = 63%.
Q4. According to the Rule of Nines, what percentage of TBSA is assigned to the anterior trunk
of an adult?
A) 9%
B) 12%
C) 18%
D) 27%
Answer: C) 18%
Rationale: The adult Rule of Nines assigns: anterior trunk = 18%, posterior trunk = 18%, each leg
= 18%, each arm = 9%, head = 9%, and perineum = 1% .
Q5. The hand and fingers are used for the palmar method of estimating burn size. How much
%TBSA does this region account for?
A) 0.5%
B) 1%
C) 2%
D) 5%
Answer: B) 1%
, Rationale: The hand and fingers (including the palm) account for approximately 1% of TBSA and
can be used as a reference for determining the %BSA for burns .
Q6. A 3-year-old child has burns to the entire head and the entire anterior trunk. According to
the modified pediatric Rule of Nines, what is the estimated %TBSA?
A) 27%
B) 31%
C) 35%
D) 39%
Answer: D) 39%
Rationale: Pediatric modifications are necessary because children have proportionally larger
heads and smaller legs. For a 3-year-old, the head accounts for approximately 18% TBSA, and
the anterior trunk accounts for approximately 18% TBSA. Total = approximately 36–39%
depending on the specific age adjustment .
Q7. Which assessment tool provides more accurate burn size estimation in pediatric patients
than the Rule of Nines method?
A) Lund-Browder chart
B) APGAR scoring
C) NIH stroke scale
D) Mini-Mental status exam
Answer: A) Lund-Browder chart
Rationale: The Lund-Browder chart adjusts for age-related body proportion differences,
improving burn size accuracy in children . It is the most accurate method for estimating %TBSA
in pediatric patients.
Q8. Which anatomical areas are considered specialized and require burn center referral?
A) Feet, hands, face, genitalia, perineum
B) Only the face and hands
C) Only the genitalia and perineum
D) Only full-thickness burns
certificAtion exAm: 100 QueStionS,
AnSwerS, And rAtionALeS ALreAdy
grAded A+
This comprehensive review is designed for the Advanced Burn Life Support (ABLS®)
certification, offered by the American Burn Association (ABA). The ABLS program provides
knowledge for immediate care of the burn patient up to the first 24 hours post-injury .
Exam Overview
The ABLS certification is available in two formats :
• ABLS Live: A 7-hour in-person course combining lectures, case studies, and hands-on
simulation. Testing consists of a written exam and a practical assessment . Participants
must pass the written exam with an 80% and the practical exam with a 3/5 . Cost: $175–
$375 .
• ABLS Now: An online, self-paced course with study questions after each lecture. Testing
consists only of a written exam . Cost: $249 .
Certification is valid for 4 years and requires renewal .
ABLS Course Content Domains:
1. Initial Assessment and Management (Primary/Secondary Surveys, %TBSA)
2. Airway Management and Inhalation Injury
3. Shock and Fluid Resuscitation (Parkland Formula)
4. Burn Wound Management
, 5. Electrical Injury
6. Chemical Burns
7. Pediatric Burn Injuries
8. Stabilization, Transfer, and Transport
9. Disaster Management
SECTION 1: INITIAL ASSESSMENT AND %TBSA ESTIMATION (Questions 1–15)
Q1. You are the first provider at the scene of a house fire. After ensuring scene safety, you
encounter a patient who is actively burning from residual flaming clothing. What is your
immediate first action?
A) Perform a primary survey
B) Remove the patient from the smoke-filled environment
C) Stop the burning process by dousing the flames or rolling the patient on the ground
D) Apply a cervical collar
Answer: C) Stop the burning process by dousing the flames or rolling the patient on the
ground
Rationale: The priority is to stop the burning process to prevent ongoing tissue damage . After
scene safety is assured, halting the burning process is the initial step before beginning the
primary survey and ABCDE assessment. Once the flames are out, the primary survey can
proceed.
Q2. In the ABCDE approach to burn patient assessment, which priority should generally be
addressed immediately before circulation assessment?
A) Airway and breathing evaluation
B) Nutritional supplementation planning
C) Scar management consultation
D) Physical therapy exercises
Answer: A) Airway and breathing evaluation
Rationale: Airway and breathing assessment are critical priorities because inhalation injuries
may rapidly become life-threatening emergencies . The primary survey follows the ABCDE
,sequence: Airway (with cervical spine protection), Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and
Exposure/Environment .
Q3. A 25-year-old man has full-thickness burns to both entire legs, the entire anterior trunk,
and the entire head. Using the Rule of Nines, what is the estimated %TBSA?
A) 54%
B) 63%
C) 72%
D) 81%
Answer: B) 63%
Rationale: The adult Rule of Nines assigns: each entire leg = 18% (9% anterior + 9% posterior),
anterior trunk = 18%, head = 9%, perineum = 1% . Both legs = 18% + 18% = 36%; anterior trunk
= 18%; head = 9%. Total = 36 + 18 + 9 = 63%.
Q4. According to the Rule of Nines, what percentage of TBSA is assigned to the anterior trunk
of an adult?
A) 9%
B) 12%
C) 18%
D) 27%
Answer: C) 18%
Rationale: The adult Rule of Nines assigns: anterior trunk = 18%, posterior trunk = 18%, each leg
= 18%, each arm = 9%, head = 9%, and perineum = 1% .
Q5. The hand and fingers are used for the palmar method of estimating burn size. How much
%TBSA does this region account for?
A) 0.5%
B) 1%
C) 2%
D) 5%
Answer: B) 1%
, Rationale: The hand and fingers (including the palm) account for approximately 1% of TBSA and
can be used as a reference for determining the %BSA for burns .
Q6. A 3-year-old child has burns to the entire head and the entire anterior trunk. According to
the modified pediatric Rule of Nines, what is the estimated %TBSA?
A) 27%
B) 31%
C) 35%
D) 39%
Answer: D) 39%
Rationale: Pediatric modifications are necessary because children have proportionally larger
heads and smaller legs. For a 3-year-old, the head accounts for approximately 18% TBSA, and
the anterior trunk accounts for approximately 18% TBSA. Total = approximately 36–39%
depending on the specific age adjustment .
Q7. Which assessment tool provides more accurate burn size estimation in pediatric patients
than the Rule of Nines method?
A) Lund-Browder chart
B) APGAR scoring
C) NIH stroke scale
D) Mini-Mental status exam
Answer: A) Lund-Browder chart
Rationale: The Lund-Browder chart adjusts for age-related body proportion differences,
improving burn size accuracy in children . It is the most accurate method for estimating %TBSA
in pediatric patients.
Q8. Which anatomical areas are considered specialized and require burn center referral?
A) Feet, hands, face, genitalia, perineum
B) Only the face and hands
C) Only the genitalia and perineum
D) Only full-thickness burns
