High altitude cerebral oedema — DipIMC MCQ

Correct answer: C — Descend urgently and give oxygen or dexamethasone if available within protocol

Descend urgently and give oxygen or dexamethasone if available within protocol is the best answer because confusion and ataxia at altitude suggest HACE requiring descent and supportive treatment. Allow self-evacuation in a private vehicle is less appropriate because private transport is unsafe for an unstable or potentially unstable casualty; Remain on scene until observations normalise is less appropriate because normalising observations at scene can delay definitive treatment. Transport to the nearest hospital without pre-alert and Transport to the nearest minor injury unit 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; Wilderness Medical Society guidance