Ricky has had his hand amputated in an industrial accident. To provide emergency care for the amputated part, the EMR should ________.

The correct course of action for the care of an amputated part is to wrap it in gauze and place it in a plastic bag. This method protects the severed limb from contamination and helps to preserve it for potential reattachment by medical personnel. By using gauze, you ensure that the tissue remains moist, which is crucial in maintaining cell viability. After wrapping it, placing the gauze in a sealed plastic bag protects it from dirt and germ exposure.

It is also important to keep the bag in a cool environment, but options that suggest keeping the amputated part submerged in ice water or applying a tourniquet may not be ideal or safe. Submerging the part in ice water could lead to further damage, and a tourniquet is generally used for active bleeding and is not appropriate after the amputation has occurred. Leaving the part exposed to air can lead to dehydration and contamination, which could further compromise the chances of successful reattachment. Thus, wrapping and sealing the amputated part is the most effective method to ensure its preservation for future treatment.