What is the primary goal of damage control resuscitation?

• A. Achieve early hemorrhage control and limit dilutional coagulopathy
• B. Prolong crystalloids and delay surgery
• C. Avoid blood products entirely
• D. Rapidly restore normotension

Answer: (A)

Damage control resuscitation centers on stopping the bleed quickly while preventing further coagulopathy from the resuscitation itself. The aim is early hemorrhage control and hemostatic resuscitation using blood products in balanced proportions (plasma, platelets, red cells) while keeping crystalloids to a minimum to avoid diluting clotting factors and worsening bleeding. It also uses permissive hypotension to avoid dislodging clots until surgical control is achieved. In short, the primary goal is to achieve rapid hemorrhage control and limit dilutional coagulopathy. Prolonged crystalloids, avoiding blood products, or aiming to rapidly restore normal blood pressure before bleeding is controlled would undermine this approach.