In severe hypothermia (<30 C), which intervention is used?

• A. Inhalation of warm gasses
• B. Warm IV solutions
• C. Warm gastric/peritoneal lavage
• D. Warm blankets

Answer: (B)

Severe hypothermia requires actively warming the core from within. Warm IV fluids do just that: they’re circulated through the bloodstream, delivering heat directly to the central circulation and helping raise the core temperature more quickly and safely than external methods alone. This internal rewarming supports perfusion and helps correct accompanying metabolic issues like acidosis and electrolyte disturbances, which is crucial when the patient is severely chilled.

Other approaches are less effective for rapid core rewarming. Inhaled warm gases provide airway warming but don’t reliably raise core temperature. Warm gastric or peritoneal lavage is invasive and used in specific circumstances or when IV access isn’t available. Warm blankets are passive and inadequate for severe hypothermia, where active internal rewarming is needed.