Heat stroke exertional — DipIMC MCQ

Correct answer: B — Start rapid active cooling and arrange urgent transfer

Start rapid active cooling and arrange urgent transfer is the best answer because exertional heat stroke is a time-critical hyperthermic emergency and cooling should not wait for hospital. Delay intervention until arrival at hospital is less appropriate because delay is unsafe when a reversible pre-hospital threat is present; Give a large crystalloid bolus before controlling the injury is less appropriate because fluid cannot replace early control of bleeding or ventilation problems. Perform a full secondary survey before treating the abnormality 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: JRCALC Guidelines; Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine guidance