Which action regarding maintaining warmth is recommended in trauma care?

• A. Keep patient cool
• B. Keep patient warm
• C. Avoid all warming measures
• D. Use ambient temperature to regulate

Answer: (B)

Keeping the patient warm is essential in trauma care. Hypothermia after injury is common and worsens outcomes by impairing coagulation, metabolic function, and immune response, and it can increase mortality. Heat is lost through exposure, shock, and cold environments, and even cold IV fluids can contribute. To prevent this, you should minimize exposure and actively maintain warmth: remove wet clothing, cover with dry blankets, insulate the patient’s head and body, shield from wind, and keep the patient in a warm environment. When available, use warming devices and warmed IV fluids or oxygen. The goal is to maintain normal body temperature rather than cooling the patient or relying on ambient conditions alone, which are usually not sufficient to prevent hypothermia.