Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) Practice Exam

What are common clinical signs of frostnip?

1. Thickened skin and pain

2. Numbness, pallor, and paresthesia

3. Joint limitation and itching

4. Coldness and swelling

The correct answer is: Numbness, pallor, and paresthesia

Frostnip is a mild form of cold injury that affects the skin and usually occurs due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Common clinical signs associated with frostnip include numbness— a loss of sensation due to cold exposure, pallor— which is the decreased blood flow causing a whitish appearance of the skin, and paresthesia— abnormal sensations such as tingling or prickling that occur as the skin begins to rewarm. These symptoms arise from the initial response of the skin and underlying tissues to cold, leading to vasoconstriction and a reduction in blood supply. As frostnip is generally reversible without permanent damage, the presence of numbness and paresthesia indicates that while the skin is affected, the underlying tissues have not sustained serious harm. Recognizing these signs can be critical for early intervention and management to prevent progression to more severe cold injuries like frostbite.