Cord prolapse — DipIMC MCQ

Correct answer: C — Position mother knee-chest or left lateral with head down and avoid handling the cord

Position mother knee-chest or left lateral with head down and avoid handling the cord is the best answer because cord prolapse threatens fetal oxygenation and needs pressure relief from the cord and urgent obstetric transfer. Provide reassurance and reassess after transport is less appropriate because reassurance is inadequate for an evolving major trauma problem; Give unrestricted crystalloid to normalise blood pressure is less appropriate because over-resuscitation can worsen bleeding when haemorrhage is uncontrolled. Defer treatment until a senior hospital doctor reviews the patient and Immobilise every joint and delay departure for a detailed examination 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; RCOG Cord Prolapse guidance