Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Trauma Practice Test

Appropriate care for an amputated body part includes all of the following, EXCEPT:

1. keeping the part cool, but not allowing it to freeze

2. laying the wrapped body part on a bed of ice

3. placing it directly on ice to prevent tissue damage

4. wrapping it in a sterile dressing and placing it in a plastic bag

The correct answer is: keeping the part cool, but not allowing it to freeze

When caring for an amputated body part, it is crucial to keep it cool but not allow it to freeze. Freezing can further damage the tissues and reduce the chance of successful reattachment or reconstruction. Therefore, laying the wrapped body part directly on a bed of ice, placing it directly on ice, or wrapping it in a sterile dressing and placing it in a plastic bag are not the correct approaches as they can lead to additional harm. That is why the correct answer is keeping the part cool, but not allowing it to freeze.