American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

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What is the main treatment focus for frostbite?

Antibiotics
Rapid rewarming
Pain management
Preventing infection

The correct answer is: Rapid rewarming

The main treatment focus for frostbite is rapid rewarming. This approach is critical because it helps to minimize the extent of tissue damage and facilitates the restoration of blood flow to the affected areas. Ideally, rewarming should be done in a controlled manner, typically using warm water baths. Additionally, during rapid rewarming, careful monitoring is essential to prevent complications such as re-freezing and further tissue damage. The goal is to transition the frozen tissue from a hypothermic state back to normal temperatures as quickly and safely as possible. While managing pain and preventing infection are important considerations in the overall care of frostbite, they are secondary to the immediate need to restore circulation and warmth to the affected tissues. Antibiotics may be necessary if there is an associated infection or if there are blisters, but they are not the primary treatment focus in the acute management of frostbite.