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Severe traumatic brain injury — DipIMC MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

ModeratePre-Hospital Trauma ManagementSevere traumatic brain injuryDipIMC

A cyclist is found 10 metres from his bicycle with GCS 7 and oxygen saturation 93% on oxygen. A pre-hospital critical care team can arrive in 12 minutes and the major trauma centre is 35 minutes away. What is the most appropriate transport decision?

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

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: D — Request critical care support for RSI and transfer to the major trauma centre

Option D is correct because Major trauma with impaired airway protection requires definitive airway planning and an MTC is usually the optimal destination. Option B is less appropriate because the clinical risk exceeds that destination or timeframe; option A is less appropriate because pre-alert is needed to mobilise the correct receiving team. Option E is less appropriate because watchful waiting risks deterioration or delays definitive care; option C is less appropriate because unmonitored private transport is unsafe for this risk profile. Clinical pearl: in DipIMC-style questions, the best answer is the intervention that changes outcome earliest in the pre-hospital phase.

Reference: NICE Major Trauma NG39; JRCALC Guidelines