Traumatic cardiac arrest — DipIMC MCQ

Correct answer: C — Treat reversible traumatic causes while commencing resuscitation

Treat reversible traumatic causes while commencing resuscitation is the best answer because traumatic arrest requires rapid correction of hypoxia, tension pneumothorax, tamponade and haemorrhage alongside CPR. Perform a full secondary survey before treating the abnormality is less appropriate because secondary survey follows correction of immediate life threats; Delay intervention until arrival at hospital is less appropriate because delay is unsafe when a reversible pre-hospital threat is present. Wait for imaging before intervening and Transport without treating the identified time-critical problem are also suboptimal because they move attention away from the key pre-hospital priority.. The key DipIMC principle is to treat immediate reversible threats, communicate clearly and move the patient toward the right definitive care.

Reference: JRCALC Guidelines; Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines; ATACC Manual