Primary trauma care follows?

Appeared in: AIIMS M.Sc. Nsg Entrance exam-2026

Explanation

The correct sequence for primary trauma care is ABCDE, a standard endorsed by Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS).
This systematic approach prioritizes the most immediate life-threatening conditions.
A stands for Airway (with cervical spine protection).
B stands for Breathing and ventilation.
C stands for Circulation and hemorrhage control.
D stands for Disability (neurological status).

Option A: The sequence ACBE is incorrect. It omits the 'Disability' (D) assessment and places 'Exposure' (E) before it should be, disrupting the logical flow of priorities.
Option C: The sequence ABCD is incomplete. While it follows the correct initial order, it omits the crucial final step 'E' for Exposure and Environmental control, where other injuries are found and hypothermia is prevented.
Option D: The sequence ACB is significantly incomplete. It omits 'Disability' (D) and 'Exposure' (E), which are essential parts of the primary survey to assess neurological status and identify all injuries.

Visual 1: Infographic: A flowchart illustrating the ABCDE steps of the primary trauma survey, with icons and brief descriptions for each letter (Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure).
Visual 2: Diagram: An illustration showing a healthcare provider performing a jaw-thrust maneuver to open an airway while maintaining C-spine stabilization.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Prioritize focused assessment, early escalation, and real-time monitoring when managing Primary Trauma Care Assessment Protocol in acute care settings.
The ABCDE approach is the cornerstone of emergency nursing, providing a structured framework that prevents missed injuries and ensures the most critical problems are treated first.
In a chaotic trauma situation, rigidly following the ABCDE sequence reduces cognitive load on the nurse and the team, allowing for efficient and effective life-saving interventions.
What if? If a patient has a clear airway and is breathing ('A' and 'B' are stable), but has no palpable radial pulse ('C' is compromised), the nurse's immediate priority shifts to addressing circulation by controlling any visible hemorrhage and establishing IV access for fluid resuscitation, rather than proceeding to 'D'.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core concept of the question, which is the standard procedure for initial trauma assessment.
Recognize that this is a recall question asking for a well-established medical mnemonic.
Scan the options for the most complete and logical sequence.
Recall or deduce the ABCDE mnemonic, which stands for Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure.
Select the option that exactly matches this standard protocol.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Brunner and Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing p. 2234-2240

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