Question

The most suitable means of handling an amputated extremity is:

A) Packing it in ice
B) Wrapping it in plastic and placing it on ice
C) Wrapping it in sterilized dressing and keeping it cool using ice
D) Placing it in a container and filling it with saline solution

Answer 1

The best method for handling an amputated extremity is to wrap it in a sterilized dressing and cool it with ice without letting the ice directly contact the tissue. This slows down tissue deterioration by reducing the metabolic rate without causing additional damage.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most suitable means of handling an amputated extremity is C) Wrapping it in sterilized dressing and keeping it cool using ice. This method involves wrapping the extremity in a clean or sterile material and then placing it in a sealed, waterproof bag or container on a bed of ice. It's key to avoid freezing the tissue directly, hence ice should not directly contact the amputated part. Using these measures lowers the temperature of the tissue, which can help preserve it by slowing down metabolic processes that could otherwise cause the tissue to deteriorate more rapidly.

To further understand the concept of temperature control, reference is made to substances like ammonium nitrate in cold packs which upon dissolution, absorb heat (endothermic process), thus cooling the surrounding environment. This principle is applied in medical scenarios to keep an amputated limb cool without causing additional damage from frostbite or direct ice contact.