Following a traumatic amputation of the finger, the amputated part arrives at the emergency department wrapped in a dry paper towel. What should be the nurse's immediate action to best preserve the viability of the amputated part for potential reattachment?
Refreeze the amputated part immediately upon arrival.
Rewrap the finger in damp gauze, place it in a watertight bag, and then place the bag on ice.
Re-wrap the amputated part with additional dry gauze to absorb any moisture.
Place the amputated finger directly onto ice to cool it rapidly.
The correct method to preserve an amputated part involves wrapping it in damp gauze and placing it in a plastic bag which is then placed on ice. This keeps the tissue moist and cool without causing direct freezer burn or frostbite, which can occur with direct ice contact. Wrapping the part in dry gauze keeps it dry but does not optimally control the temperature. Placing the part directly on ice can damage the tissues due to extreme cold. Refreezing is not recommended as it leads to significant tissue damage.
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BCEN CEN
Musculoskeletal and Wound Emergencies
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