Primary and Secondary Survey MCQ — NEET PG Practice Question | NEETPGAI
Primary and Secondary Survey
easy
scissors Surgery
During the primary survey of a trauma patient, which component of the ABCDE assessment is evaluated FIRST?
A. Airway with cervical spine protection
B. Circulation and hemorrhage control
C. Disability and neurological status
D. Breathing and ventilation
Explanation
Primary Survey: ABCDE Sequence
Key Point
The primary survey follows a strict, life-threatening-first sequence. Airway is ALWAYS evaluated and managed first because airway compromise is immediately fatal.
Rationale for Airway Priority
The ABCDE algorithm is designed on the principle of reversibility and immediacy of threat:
1.
Airway obstruction → death in minutes (hypoxia)
2.
Breathing failure → death in minutes (hypoxia/hypercapnia)
3.
Circulation failure → death in minutes (shock)
4.
Disability → time-sensitive but not immediately fatal
5.
Exposure → assessment and prevention of further injury
High-YieldNEET PG
Airway assessment includes:
Look, listen, feel for airway patency
Assess for stridor, gurgling, or absent breath sounds
Simultaneous cervical spine immobilization (assume C-spine injury in all trauma until proven otherwise)
Prepare for airway intervention (suction, positioning, airway adjuncts, intubation)
Clinical Pearl
Even if the patient is speaking in full sentences, the airway must still be formally assessed and protected because deterioration can be rapid (e.g., airway edema, aspiration, loss of consciousness).
Mnemonic
ABCDE = Airway (with C-spine), Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure. The order is fixed and non-negotiable in ATLS.
ATLS 10e
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