A physical therapist tests a small area of skin for hypersensitivity prior to using a cold immersion bath. The patient begins to demonstrate evidence of cold intolerance within 60 seconds after cold application. What is the MOST appropriate response?

Discontinuing cold application and documenting the findings is the most appropriate response in this scenario. When a patient shows signs of cold intolerance within a minute, it indicates that the body is not tolerating the cold exposure well, potentially putting the patient at risk for adverse effects such as frostbite or further discomfort.

By choosing to discontinue the cold application, the therapist prioritizes patient safety, ensuring that they do not experience any harm from continued exposure to extreme cold. Additionally, documenting the patient's reaction is crucial for medical records and future treatment planning, as it provides important information about the patient's tolerance to cold modalities.

While limiting cold exposure or selecting an alternate cryotherapeutic agent could be considered in different circumstances, they do not address the immediate need to protect the patient from negative reactions that have already appeared. Continuing with the cold immersion bath when there are already signs of discomfort would further compromise the patient’s safety. Therefore, the best choice is to cease the treatment and properly document what has transpired.