What is a primary risk when dealing with open abdominal wounds?

When managing open abdominal wounds, one of the primary risks is hypothermia. This condition can occur for a variety of reasons related to the loss of body heat. Open wounds can expose internal organs and tissues, allowing heat to escape more readily. Additionally, when injuries are sustained, especially in the case of traumatic wounds that might lead to significant blood loss or fluid changes, the body’s ability to maintain a stable core temperature can become compromised.

In the context of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), maintaining normothermia is critical for patient survival, as hypothermia can lead to coagulopathy, impaired metabolism, and decreased overall trauma outcomes. Managing the patient's temperature becomes crucial as it can significantly influence the effectiveness of treatments and the body’s response to injury and recovery.

The other options, while potentially relevant to overall patient care, do not directly correlate with the primary risks associated with open abdominal wounds in the same way.