Humor me please with a question from my son...

Nurses General Nursing

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We were discussing my 7th grade experiences. I mentioned we had to read Johnny Tremaine. My project was a poster depicting the main character injuring himself by pouring hot molten silver on his hand in colonial times.

So what does my son ask? So how would they fix that today?

If a hand was encased in molten silver that hardened, (silver en bloc?) I'm guessing the tissue destruction from the thermal burns combined with the only way to successfully remove the silver would be to re-melt it. ( not a realistic option) then the only treatment option would be distal amputation? The risk of tissue death,compartment syndrome, etc would be very high it would seem.

Thoughts? Talk amongst yourselves.

Ah the conversations with a 12 year old who helped mom study in nursing school years ago...

Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

Off with his hand!

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.
I have not read this book, am going to have to look into it!

We were assigned to read this in junior high; I think I read it over two days or maybe three. I remember I couldn't put it down! I hope if you do read it, that you enjoy it.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

In those days amputation and infection leading to sepsis and death is most likely.

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I guess I am really an oldie but goodie because I never heard of these series of books!!! Seventh grade was a long time ago. However, I would say due to the damage caused by the molting it would be better to just leave the silver on and do a precise amputation. Why would you try to liquify the silver if you are going to amputate anyway?? And to add a little humor, with the rate of silver today you might have it weighed and trade in for the value of silver!!!

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

I'd probably leave it and invent some sort of superhero persona around it. Totally think I could pull off a caped look!

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Specializes in critical care.
In those days amputation and infection leading to sepsis and death is most likely.

Party pooper. lol

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First time I have seen that name since, well, when I read the book. Now I am in a quandrary trying to remember how old I was when I read the book.

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Sorry, who was johnny tremaine

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Sorry, who was johnny tremaine

A fictional character in a classic American novel that was required reading years ago for many junior high school students. He was a silversmith apprentice. They were not to work on Sundays but he broke the rules/law and had a disfiguring hand injury when he accidentally poured molten silver on his hand

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