A burn patient weighs 220 pounds and has a TBSA of 30%. What is the resuscitation rate?

A burn patient weighs 220 pounds and has a TBSA of 30%. What is the resuscitation rate?

• A. 250 mL/hr
• B. 500 mL/hr
• C. 750 mL/hr
• D. 1000 mL/hr

Answer: (B)

The resuscitation rate is based on the Parkland formula: 4 mL of lactated Ringer’s solution per kilogram of body weight per percent TBSA burned. For this patient, 220 lb is about 100 kg, and the burn is 30% TBSA. So the total fluid over the first 24 hours is 4 × 100 × 30 = 12,000 mL. The average rate over 24 hours is 12,000 mL / 24 h = 500 mL per hour. If the question asked for the initial rate in the first 8 hours, it would be 6,000 mL / 8 h = 750 mL/h, with the remaining 6,000 mL delivered over the next 16 hours (about 375 mL/h). In this case, the stated resuscitation rate corresponds to the 24-hour average, which is 500 mL/h.

The resuscitation rate is based on the Parkland formula: 4 mL of lactated Ringer’s solution per kilogram of body weight per percent TBSA burned. For this patient, 220 lb is about 100 kg, and the burn is 30% TBSA. So the total fluid over the first 24 hours is 4 × 100 × 30 = 12,000 mL. The average rate over 24 hours is 12,000 mL / 24 h = 500 mL per hour.

If the question asked for the initial rate in the first 8 hours, it would be 6,000 mL / 8 h = 750 mL/h, with the remaining 6,000 mL delivered over the next 16 hours (about 375 mL/h). In this case, the stated resuscitation rate corresponds to the 24-hour average, which is 500 mL/h.