Which practice regarding IV fluids helps prevent hypothermia during field resuscitation?

• A. Provide warmed IV fluids as needed to prevent hypothermia
• B. Use cold IV fluids
• C. Do not warm fluids
• D. Warming is not necessary

Answer: (A)

Maintaining body temperature during resuscitation is essential, and warming IV fluids is a practical measure to prevent hypothermia. When large volumes of fluid are given in the field, especially in cold environments, inserting cold fluids can pull heat away from the body and drop core temperature. Providing fluids warmed toward normal body temperature helps preserve the patient’s warmth, supports enzyme function and coagulation, and reduces the risk of hypothermia-related complications. That’s why warming IV fluids is the best approach. Using cold fluids or not warming them would make hypothermia more likely, and delaying warming would miss this protective measure.