What is the correct order of the ABCs in primary assessment?

What is the correct order of the ABCs in primary assessment?

• A. Breathing, airway, circulation
• B. Airway, circulation, breathing
• C. Circulation, airway, breathing
• D. Airway, breathing, circulation

Answer: (D)

In primary assessment, prioritize threats to life in this order: airway, then breathing, then circulation. The airway must be opened and kept clear before you can evaluate or support breathing; if the airway is blocked, oxygen can’t reach the lungs no matter how well the person’s breathing looks otherwise. Once the airway is open, you address breathing—check for effective ventilation, rate, and effort, and provide rescue breaths or oxygen as needed. Only after ensuring the person is ventilating adequately do you assess circulation for perfusion and control any severe bleeding. Focusing on circulation first risks missing a critical airway problem that could render CPR or circulation support unnecessary or ineffective, while addressing airway and breathing first ensures oxygen delivery is established before dealing with blood flow.

In primary assessment, prioritize threats to life in this order: airway, then breathing, then circulation. The airway must be opened and kept clear before you can evaluate or support breathing; if the airway is blocked, oxygen can’t reach the lungs no matter how well the person’s breathing looks otherwise. Once the airway is open, you address breathing—check for effective ventilation, rate, and effort, and provide rescue breaths or oxygen as needed. Only after ensuring the person is ventilating adequately do you assess circulation for perfusion and control any severe bleeding. Focusing on circulation first risks missing a critical airway problem that could render CPR or circulation support unnecessary or ineffective, while addressing airway and breathing first ensures oxygen delivery is established before dealing with blood flow.