How should hypothermia be prevented during trauma resuscitation?

• A. Use warm blankets, forced-air warming devices, warmed IV fluids, and maintain a warm environment.
• B. Keep patient exposed to room air for cooling.
• C. Use ice packs to the groin for cooling.
• D. Only cover with a sheet.

Answer: (A)

Maintaining normothermia during trauma resuscitation is essential because hypothermia worsens coagulopathy, acidosis, and mortality. The best approach is active external and environmental warming: use warm blankets and forced-air warming devices to reduce heat loss, warm IV fluids before or during infusion, and keep the patient in a warm environment to minimize exposure and evaporative cooling. Exposing the patient to room air, applying ice packs to cool, or just covering with a sheet would promote cooling and heat loss, not prevent it.