Question

You respond to a landing zone to pick up a skier who was lost in the woods for 36 hours and found by the search and rescue helicopter. Your patient is a 19-year-old male patient. He is alert and oriented to time, person, place, and event. He is covered in blankets and shivering. He complains of not being able to feel his fingers. Physical exam reveals that the fingers of both extremities have a waxy appearance and feel "frozen" on the surface. After treating the patient for potential hypothermia and rapid transport, your next action is to:

A. actively rewarm the digits.
B. gently warm the digits by slowly massaging them.
C. bandage the digits.
D. keep the digits frozen on ice until they can be properly rewarmed at the hospital.

Answer 1

For a patient with potential frostbite and hypothermia, actively rewarm the affected digits with warm (not hot) water after ensuring rapid transport and addressing core hypothermia. Do not massage frozen tissues or delay rewarming until hospital arrival.

Step-by-step explanation:

You respond to a landing zone to pick up a skier who was lost in the woods for 36 hours and found by the search and rescue helicopter. The patient, a 19-year-old male, is alert and oriented but exhibiting signs of severe cold exposure, including shivering and waxy-appearing, 'frozen' fingers, which suggest potential frostbite. Given his condition, the next step after treating for potential hypothermia and rapid transport should be to A. actively rewarm the digits. It is critical not to massage frozen tissues as this may cause further damage. Similarly, keeping the digits frozen until hospital arrival, as suggested by option D, is not the preferred method of care. Moreover, bandaging (option C) should be done only after rewarming, to prevent damage to the compromised tissue. Initiate gentle rewarming by immersing the affected digits in warm water (not hot), which is typically about 37-39 degrees Celsius (98-102 degrees Fahrenheit), to slowly raise tissue temperature without causing burns or rapid temperature changes that could result in additional damage.