In the field, management of hypothermia should include stabilizing the airway, breathing, and which additional priority?

• A. Improving heart rate with medications
• B. Preventing further heat loss
• C. Applying electric warming blankets only
• D. Delaying transport until core temp is measured

Answer: (B)

In field hypothermia care, once airway and breathing are stabilized, the most important next priority is preventing further heat loss. Cold exposure keeps driving the core temperature down, so stopping additional cooling makes rewarming more effective and helps protect vital organs from stress. Practical steps include removing wet clothing, drying the patient, insulating with dry blankets, and shielding from wind and moisture. This creates a favorable environment for warming to work.

Why the other ideas aren’t the best fit here: increasing heart rate with medications isn’t the primary goal and can be harmful—bradycardia is common in hypothermia, and treatment focuses on warming and supportive care rather than pharmacologic stimulation. Relying on electric warming blankets only is too narrow; effective field management uses a combination of passive and, if appropriate, active warming rather than a single method. Delaying transport until core temperature is measured isn’t appropriate; you should start warming and expedite transport for definitive care, even if you can’t obtain an exact core temperature in the field.