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Ch. 5 The Integumentary System
Marieb - Human Anatomy & Physiology 7th Edition
Marieb, Hoehn7th EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780805359091Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksMarieb, Hoehn 7th EditionCh. 5 The Integumentary SystemProblem 11
Chapter 5, Problem 11

The rule of nines is helpful clinically in
a. Diagnosing skin cancer
b. Estimating the extent of a burn
c. Estimating how serious a cancer is
d. Preventing acne

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1
Understand that the 'rule of nines' is a clinical tool used primarily in burn assessment to estimate the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burns.
Recall that the rule divides the body into sections, each representing approximately 9% (or multiples of 9%) of the total body surface area, which helps in quickly calculating the extent of burns.
Recognize that this estimation is crucial for determining the severity of burns and guiding treatment decisions such as fluid resuscitation.
Evaluate each option in the problem: diagnosing skin cancer, estimating burn extent, estimating cancer seriousness, and preventing acne, and identify which aligns with the purpose of the rule of nines.
Conclude that the correct clinical use of the rule of nines is to estimate the extent of a burn, corresponding to option b.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Rule of Nines

The rule of nines is a clinical tool used to estimate the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burns. It divides the body into sections, each representing approximately 9% (or multiples thereof) of the body surface, allowing quick assessment of burn extent for treatment decisions.
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Burn Assessment and Severity

Assessing the extent and depth of burns is crucial for determining treatment and prognosis. The percentage of body surface burned helps guide fluid resuscitation, hospitalization needs, and potential complications, making accurate estimation essential in burn management.
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Clinical Applications of Dermatological Tools

Different clinical tools and rules are used for specific skin-related conditions. While the rule of nines is for burn assessment, other tools exist for diagnosing skin cancer or managing acne, highlighting the importance of using the correct method for each clinical scenario.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Which is not a true statement about the papillary dermis?

a. It is largely areolar connective tissue

b. It is most responsible for the toughness of the skin

c. It contains nerve endings that respond to stimuli

d. It is highly vascular

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Textbook Question

The epidermis provides a physical barrier due largely to the presence of

a. Melanin

b. Carotene

c. Collagen

d. Keratin

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Textbook Question

Why are there no skin cancers that originate from stratum corneum cells?

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Textbook Question

Which of the following is not an epidermal derivative?

a. Hair

b. Sweat gland

c. Sensory receptor

d. Sebaceous gland.

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Textbook Question

Explain each of these familiar phenomena in terms of what you learned in this chapter:

a. Pimples

b. Dandruff

c. Greasy hair and 'shiny nose

d. Stretch marks from gaining weight

e. Freckles

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Textbook Question

Which epidermal cells contain keratohyaline and lamellar granules?

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