What is an active heating measure for hypothermia?

• A. Elevating legs
• B. Hot packs to the armpits and groin (do not place directly onto skin)
• C. Hydration therapy
• D. Applying cold packs to torso

Answer: (B)

Active external warming raises the body's core temperature by delivering heat to the patient. Warming the large blood-flow areas is especially effective because heat applied to the armpits and groin heats blood as it circulates, quickly increasing core temperature. That’s why hot packs are used here, wrapped to avoid direct skin contact to prevent burns. Elevating legs doesn’t add heat, hydration therapy helps with fluid status but doesn’t actively warm, and applying cold packs to the torso would cool the body and worsen hypothermia.