What should be assessed first in a critically injured patient?

In the management of a critically injured patient, the most fundamental and immediate concern is ensuring that the patient has a patent airway and that they are breathing adequately, followed by assessing circulation. This approach follows the principle of prioritizing interventions that support life, which is encapsulated in the Airway, Breathing, Circulation (ABCs) framework.

Assessing the airway involves checking to see if it is clear and unobstructed, as any compromise to this will prevent adequate oxygenation and ventilation. If the airway is not secure, a patient can rapidly deteriorate despite having other stable parameters. Following airway assessment, evaluating breathing ensures that the patient is able to oxygenate properly; respiratory failure can lead to hypoxia and subsequent multi-organ failure.

Once these vital functions are assessed, circulation can be monitored, which includes checking for a pulse and assessing for signs of hemorrhagic shock, vital for determining the overall stability of the patient. After addressing these critical aspects, other evaluations, such as neurological status and history of present illness, can be conducted as secondary assessments to gather further context and information for treatment.

Therefore, focusing first on the ABCs aligns with best practices in emergency medical response, ensuring that the most immediate threats to life are addressed first