During the primary survey, which items are assessed?

• A. Circulation, Airway, Breathing, Profuse Bleeding, and Shock
• B. Intake, Output, Temperature, Pulse
• C. Focus, Attention
• D. Pain, Nausea

Answer: (A)

The primary survey focuses on life-threatening problems in the order of airway, breathing, and circulation, so it begins by ensuring the patient can breathe and has an open airway, then quickly checks for adequate ventilation, and finally assesses circulation to see if blood flow and perfusion are intact. Including profuse bleeding and signs of shock reflects the need to address immediate threats to circulation during this rapid assessment. Uncontrolled bleeding can rapidly lead to hypovolemia and hypoxia, while shock indicates inadequate perfusion that requires prompt intervention.

Intake, output, temperature, and pulse, and symptoms like pain or nausea, are not part of the immediate primary survey sequence. Focus and attention relate to neurological status and are more relevant to subsequent assessment, not the initial life-saving checks.