Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The primary cause of frostbite is tissue damage resulting from exposure to cold. When skin and underlying tissues are exposed to extremely low temperatures, particularly in conditions where wind chill is a factor, ice crystals can form within the cells. This can lead to cellular dehydration and ultimately cell death, resulting in the characteristic symptoms of frostbite, such as numbness, pale skin, and stiffness.

In addition, prolonged exposure can impair blood flow to the affected areas, leading to more severe tissue damage. The body's normal self-protective mechanisms, like vasoconstriction, may not be sufficient to prevent damage when exposed to extreme cold for extended periods.

Other options, while related to different concepts, do not directly pertain to the causes of frostbite. Insect stings and allergic reactions can certainly cause tissue damage, but they are not linked to the cold specifically. Extreme heat relates to burns rather than frostbite. Thus, understanding frostbite requires a clear focus on the effects of extreme cold on body tissues, which is why the first choice is the correct answer.