MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

What is the best way to preserve a severed finger?

1. Place it in water

2. Wrap it and keep it cool

3. Put it on ice

4. Attempt to reattach it immediately

The correct answer is: Wrap it and keep it cool

To preserve a severed finger, the best approach is to wrap it and keep it cool. This method effectively protects the finger from environmental damage while maintaining its viability for potential reattachment. When wrapping the finger, it should be done in a moist, sterile cloth or gauze to prevent drying out, which can lead to cell death. Keeping the finger cool is crucial because it slows down metabolic processes that could contribute to tissue damage. The ideal temperatures for preservation, which can be achieved by placing the wrapped finger in a cool area or in a container with ice packs, help ensure that the tissue remains as viable as possible for medical professionals to perform a successful reattachment later. Placing the finger in water is not recommended as it can lead to dilution and increased bacterial contamination. Similarly, putting it directly on ice or trying to reattach it immediately are not optimal; direct contact with ice can cause frostbite to the tissue, and reattachment should only be conducted by trained medical personnel in a sterile environment. Therefore, wrapping the severed finger and keeping it cool is the most effective and recommended method.