Which of the following actions is the best way to avoid further heat loss in moderate hypothermia?

Adding heat to the patient is the best way to avoid further heat loss in a case of moderate hypothermia. When a person is experiencing hypothermia, their body temperature drops to a dangerously low level, which can impair their physiological functions and lead to serious health risks. Applying heat helps restore the individual's core temperature and prevents the situation from worsening.

In moderate hypothermia, it is crucial to rewarm the individual gradually while monitoring their condition closely. This can be done with blankets, heating pads on low settings, or warm (not hot) water bottles. By increasing the temperature around the person, you encourage their body to start recovering and warming itself.

While seeking immediate medical attention is essential, especially for cases involving severe hypothermia, the immediate focus in moderate cases should be on warming the individual to prevent any further heat loss. Engaging in outdoor activities would likely exacerbate the condition by continued exposure to cold, and adding ice packs would further lower the body temperature, worsening the hypothermia.