Question:medium

Estimate the volume of Ringer lactate required in the first 8 hours for a 50 kg male with 40% second-degree burns.

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Parkland total is 4 x kg x percent TBSA; give half of it in the first 8 hours.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
  • 8 litres
  • 4 litres
  • 2 litres
  • 6 litres
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Burns resuscitation uses the Parkland formula, where the 24-hour Ringer lactate requirement equals four times the body weight in kg times the percent body surface area burned.

Step 2: Plugging in 50 kg and 40 percent: $4 \times 50 \times 40 = 8000$ mL for the whole first day.

Step 3: The protocol front-loads fluid by giving one half within the first 8 hours: $\tfrac{8000}{2} = 4000$ mL.

Step 4: So 4 litres is infused in those first 8 hours, with the other half spread across the following 16 hours and adjusted to keep urine output near 50 mL/hr.

\[\boxed{4\ \text{litres}}\]
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