Which items are included in the Primary assessment (systematic approach)?

Which items are included in the Primary assessment (systematic approach)?

• A. SAMPLE, Focused Hx, H'S, T'S
• B. BP, Heart rate, Oxygen saturation
• C. ABCs, Disability, Exposure
• D. Initial impression (visualization/scene safety); BLS assessment; Primary assessment

Answer: (C)

Primary assessment is about rapidly identifying and addressing life threats by moving through Airway, Breathing, Circulation first. If the airway is compromised, the priority is to secure it. If breathing isn’t adequate, provide assistance or ventilation. If circulation is threatened, control obvious bleeding and assess perfusion to prevent shock. After these life threats are managed, you assess Disability to gauge the patient’s neurologic status and level of consciousness, and you perform Exposure to uncover hidden injuries while taking steps to prevent hypothermia. This sequence focuses on immediate threats to survival, which is why it fits the primary assessment. The other ideas mix in history taking (like SAMPLE), focused history, or Ts and Hs, or place scene safety and initial impression in a category that isn’t the structured, rapid primary check. Those belong to other parts of the overall assessment process rather than the systematic primary assessment.

Primary assessment is about rapidly identifying and addressing life threats by moving through Airway, Breathing, Circulation first. If the airway is compromised, the priority is to secure it. If breathing isn’t adequate, provide assistance or ventilation. If circulation is threatened, control obvious bleeding and assess perfusion to prevent shock. After these life threats are managed, you assess Disability to gauge the patient’s neurologic status and level of consciousness, and you perform Exposure to uncover hidden injuries while taking steps to prevent hypothermia. This sequence focuses on immediate threats to survival, which is why it fits the primary assessment.

The other ideas mix in history taking (like SAMPLE), focused history, or Ts and Hs, or place scene safety and initial impression in a category that isn’t the structured, rapid primary check. Those belong to other parts of the overall assessment process rather than the systematic primary assessment.