In PHTLS, what is meant by "expose and protect"?

In PHTLS, the phrase "expose and protect" refers to the practice of removing clothing to adequately assess injuries while also taking measures to prevent the patient from becoming hypothermic. It's crucial to expose areas of concern in order to identify any potentially life-threatening injuries that may not be visible when clothing is intact. At the same time, it's essential to protect the patient from losing body heat, especially in a trauma situation where exposure can lead to complications such as hypothermia. By ensuring that patients are kept warm during the assessment, emergency responders are addressing both the need for thorough injury evaluation and the fundamental requirement of maintaining body temperature stability, which is vital for patient outcomes.