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Neonatal hypothermia — DipIMC MCQ

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EasyPaediatric and Obstetric EmergenciesNeonatal hypothermiaDipIMC

A newborn delivered in an ambulance is breathing normally but is wet and cold. The outside temperature is 4°C and the mother is stable. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

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

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Correct answer: C — Dry the baby, remove wet towels and provide warm coverings skin-to-skin if possible

Dry the baby, remove wet towels and provide warm coverings skin-to-skin if possible is the best answer because newborns lose heat rapidly and early drying and warming are essential after birth. Perform a full secondary survey before treating the abnormality is less appropriate because secondary survey follows correction of immediate life threats; Give a large crystalloid bolus before controlling the injury is less appropriate because fluid cannot replace early control of bleeding or ventilation problems. Delay intervention until arrival at hospital and Wait for imaging before intervening 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: Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines; JRCALC Guidelines