A patient experiences a gasoline tank fire when riding a motorcycle and is admitted to the emergency department (ED. with partial-thickness burns on the anterior surfaces of both lower extremities. Which percentage of body surface area should the nurse document in the electronic medical record (EMR)?

Choice A reason: This is the correct answer. According to the rule of nines, each leg accounts for 18% of the total body surface area, and the anterior surface of each leg accounts for half of that, or 9%. Therefore, the patient has partial-thickness burns on 9% + 9% = 18% of the body surface area. Choice B reason: This is incorrect. This would be the case if the patient had partial-thickness burns on the anterior and posterior surfaces of both legs, as well as the head and neck, which is not given in the question. Choice C reason: This is incorrect. This would be the case if the patient had partial-thickness burns on the anterior surface of only one leg, which is not given in the question. Choice D reason: This is incorrect. This would be the case if the patient had partial-thickness burns on the anterior and posterior surfaces of both legs, which is not given in the question.