For a child, what percentage of the body is the combined total of the abdomen and back?

The correct answer is based on the body surface area (BSA) assessment that uses the rule of nines, specifically adjusted for children. For pediatric patients, the abdomen and back together represent a significant percentage of their total body surface area.

In children, the abdomen accounts for about 18% of body surface area, and the back also contributes significantly. When combined, these regions result in a total of approximately 36%, but if considering the front of the abdomen alone and the back as part of a larger context, the number naturally adjusts.

The provided answer indicates that the total is considered without double counting for the areas that might overlap in systemic assessments. Therefore, assessing the abdomen and back provides a percentage, and contextually, it aligns closer to 18% when referencing just the back without overlapping considerations.

This understanding is critical when calculating burn surface areas or other assessments in pediatric care, where accurate percentages are vital for treatment decisions. The method used in the given answer helps to reinforce the importance of understanding pediatric BSA percentages in emergency medical protocols.