A child experiences frostbite of the fingers after prolonged exposure to the cold. Which intervention would the nurse implement first?
a. Rapid rewarming of the fingers by placing in warm water
b. Placing the hand in cool water
c. Slow rewarming by wrapping in warm cloth
d. Using an ice pack to keep cold until medical intervention is possible
ANS: A
Rapid rewarming is accomplished by immersing the part in well-agitated water at 37.8° C to 42.2° C (100° F to 108° F) and results in less tissue necrosis than slow thawing. The frostbitten area should be rewarmed as soon as possible to avoid further tissue damage.
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