A 16-year-old patient with burns covering 22% TBSA qualifies for Major/Critical burns. Is this correct?

A 16-year-old patient with burns covering 22% TBSA qualifies for Major/Critical burns. Is this correct?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only if associated inhalation injury
• D. Only if TBSA ≥25%

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that burn severity categories hinge on how much of the body surface is burned. In adolescents, a burn that covers more than about 20% of TBSA is considered a major burn. A 16-year-old with 22% TBSA therefore meets the threshold for major (and could be considered critical if other factors like inhalation injury are present, but inhalation injury is not required to classify as major). So yes, this patient qualifies for Major/Critical burns. It’s not limited to a TBSA of 25% or more, and inhalation injury is not a prerequisite for the major category—inhalation injury is a separate factor that can push toward a higher-risk classification.

The main idea is that burn severity categories hinge on how much of the body surface is burned. In adolescents, a burn that covers more than about 20% of TBSA is considered a major burn. A 16-year-old with 22% TBSA therefore meets the threshold for major (and could be considered critical if other factors like inhalation injury are present, but inhalation injury is not required to classify as major). So yes, this patient qualifies for Major/Critical burns.

It’s not limited to a TBSA of 25% or more, and inhalation injury is not a prerequisite for the major category—inhalation injury is a separate factor that can push toward a higher-risk classification.