Hypothermia — MCCQE Part 1 MCQ

Correct answer: E — Use gentle handling with core rewarming under continuous cardiac monitoring

Massage the limbs and place heating packs over hands and feet: Peripheral massage and heating can increase cold venous return, afterdrop and arrhythmia risk. Use repeated assisted walking to generate heat and increase perfusion: Exertion is unsafe in an unstable, severely cold patient and can precipitate collapse. Insert a transvenous pacemaker to correct the slow atrial fibrillation: Hypothermic bradyarrhythmia is usually treated by rewarming rather than immediate pacing unless exceptional instability persists. Use gentle handling with core rewarming under continuous cardiac monitoring: Warm humidified oxygen, trunk heat and warmed IV fluids can support rewarming with continuous rhythm and core-temperature surveillance. Complete toxicology testing before choosing the active rewarming method: Evaluation for precipitants occurs concurrently and must not delay temperature treatment.

Reference: https://emergencycarebc.ca/clinical_resource/clinical-summary/hypothermia/