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Carbon monoxide multiple casualty — DipIMC MCQ

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EasyEnvironmental MedicineCarbon monoxide multiple casualtyDipIMC

Three people in a caravan have headache, dizziness and vomiting. The gas heater is still running and one patient is drowsy. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

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

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Correct answer: ERemove everyone from exposure and give high-flow oxygen to symptomatic patients

Remove everyone from exposure and give high-flow oxygen to symptomatic patients is the best answer because carbon monoxide poisoning is treated by stopping exposure and giving high-concentration oxygen. Transport without treating the identified time-critical problem is less appropriate because movement alone may not reverse the immediate physiology; 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 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; UKHSA carbon monoxide guidance