What are the five components of the Primary Survey?

The five components of the Primary Survey in trauma management are Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure. This systematic approach is crucial for identifying life-threatening conditions and ensuring that essential interventions are prioritized during the initial assessment of a trauma patient.

Starting with Airway, it is critical to assess and ensure that the patient’s airway is clear because an obstructed airway can lead to inadequate oxygenation and subsequent brain injury or death. Next is Breathing, which involves checking for adequate respiratory effort and ensuring that oxygenation is adequate. Circulation follows, where perfusion is assessed, and control of any major bleeding is addressed to prevent shock. Disability assesses the neurological status of the patient, often using the AVPU scale (Alert, Verbal response, Pain response, Unresponsive) to determine level of consciousness. Lastly, Exposure recognizes the need to fully expose the patient to identify any hidden injuries while maintaining body temperature to prevent hypothermia.

Understanding these components enables healthcare providers to efficiently prioritize care and take necessary actions in a timely manner to stabilize a trauma patient. The other options provide terms that do not align with the standard components of the Primary Survey as defined in prehospital trauma care.