The Parkland formula calculates fluid requirements using which of the following?

• A. Age
• B. Body surface area
• C. Weight in kilograms and percent burn
• D. Blood type

Answer: (C)

Parkland is a fluid resuscitation method for burn patients that ties the volume of fluid to how much tissue is burned and the patient’s size. The total fluid in the first 24 hours is 4 mL of lactated Ringer’s solution per kilogram of body weight for each percent of burn, with half of that amount given in the first 8 hours from the time of injury and the remaining half over the next 16 hours. This makes weight in kilograms and percent burn the essential factors in determining fluid needs. Age isn’t part of the calculation, and while body surface area relates to burns, the formula uses percent TBSA rather than a separate BSA calculation; blood type has no role in fluid resuscitation.