Which sequence correctly lists the stages of frost bite from first to third?

Which sequence correctly lists the stages of frost bite from first to third?

• A. Red or flushed skin, white or grey skin; firm white skin, blisters, purple tint; blisters and blue skin
• B. Redness and swelling; numbness; scabbing
• C. Red or flushed skin; numbness; blistering
• D. White skin then red skin then purple skin

Answer: (A)

Frostbite progresses as tissue freezes and then thaws, with distinct color and texture changes that illustrate increasing (and then deepening) tissue injury. At first, the skin looks red or flushed because of initial blood flow changes. As freezing advances, tissue becomes white or grey and feels firm—this whitening reflects ice formation in the tissue. When rewarming begins, blisters can form and the skin may take on a purple tint as blood flow returns and deeper tissues are stressed. In the most severe stage, deeper damage leads to further color change, and the skin can appear blue as circulation is severely compromised and blistering may persist. This sequence matches red or flushed skin first, then white or grey and firm white skin with blistering and a purple tint, and finally blisters with blue skin. Other options either skip the whitening stage, misplace when blisters occur, or describe color changes that don’t align with the typical progression, so they don’t fit the natural order of frostbite injury.

Frostbite progresses as tissue freezes and then thaws, with distinct color and texture changes that illustrate increasing (and then deepening) tissue injury. At first, the skin looks red or flushed because of initial blood flow changes. As freezing advances, tissue becomes white or grey and feels firm—this whitening reflects ice formation in the tissue. When rewarming begins, blisters can form and the skin may take on a purple tint as blood flow returns and deeper tissues are stressed. In the most severe stage, deeper damage leads to further color change, and the skin can appear blue as circulation is severely compromised and blistering may persist.

This sequence matches red or flushed skin first, then white or grey and firm white skin with blistering and a purple tint, and finally blisters with blue skin. Other options either skip the whitening stage, misplace when blisters occur, or describe color changes that don’t align with the typical progression, so they don’t fit the natural order of frostbite injury.