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Communication with distressed relatives — DipIMC MCQ

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HardScene Safety and MedicolegalCommunication with distressed relativesDipIMC

A child is being resuscitated at home while relatives are distressed and asking whether the child will survive. The team is actively treating reversible causes. What is the most appropriate management?

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Correct answer: C — Allocate a team member to communicate honestly while preserving focus on resuscitation

Allocate a team member to communicate honestly while preserving focus on resuscitation is the best answer because clear compassionate communication supports relatives and reduces disruption to clinical care. Immobilise every joint and delay departure for a detailed examination is less appropriate because prolonged packaging can delay definitive care; Provide reassurance and reassess after transport is less appropriate because reassurance is inadequate for an evolving major trauma problem. Use oral analgesia as the main treatment and Give unrestricted crystalloid to normalise blood pressure 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; Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines