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Trauma hypothermia prevention — DipIMC MCQ

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EasyPre-Hospital Trauma ManagementTrauma hypothermia preventionDipIMC

A 23-year-old woman has been ejected from a vehicle. She is shivering, wet from rain, has a pelvic binder in place and a weak carotid pulse. What is the most appropriate management?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: C — Insulate actively, remove wet exposure where practical and minimise further heat loss

Hypothermia worsens trauma coagulopathy and mortality, so heat-loss prevention is an early intervention alongside haemorrhage control. Prolonged exposure can be more harmful than beneficial after the primary survey. Hot drinks are inappropriate in a shocked trauma patient. The pearl is that environmental control is part of damage-control resuscitation.

Reference: NICE Major Trauma NG39; JRCALC Guidelines 2025