Heat stroke — DipIMC MCQ

Correct answer: D — Start active cooling and arrange urgent transfer

Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · A = shown as B · B = shown as C · C = shown as E

D is correct: Exertional heat stroke requires immediate active cooling; delay in cooling increases organ injury. A is less suitable because analgesia is important but does not replace the first physiological intervention; B is less suitable because the vignette contains high-risk features that require escalation; C is less suitable because it moves the patient before the decisive threat or destination issue is addressed; E is less suitable because it does not address the discriminator in the vignette. The most tempting alternative is therefore suboptimal because it either delays the time-critical pre-hospital intervention or sends the patient to the wrong level of care. The key DipIMC principle is focused cABCDE decision-making with early pre-alert, triage or retrieval escalation when the scene physiology demands it.

Reference: JRCALC Guidelines; Resuscitation Council UK; NICE guidance where applicable