What is the first assessment performed on every patient?

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Multiple Choice

What is the first assessment performed on every patient?

The first assessment focuses on life threats and is performed through the Primary Survey/Resuscitation. In every patient, you immediately look for problems that can cause death within minutes and address them in order: secure the airway and ensure adequate breathing, assess and support circulation, then check disability (neuro status) and exposure. This ABCDE approach means you don’t proceed to a full head‑to‑toe examination or gather a full history until you’ve stabilized the essentials that keep the patient alive. Vital signs and a more detailed check come next, once the patient’s immediate risks are managed. Triage and dispatch relate to scene management and getting resources, not the initial patient assessment itself.

The first assessment focuses on life threats and is performed through the Primary Survey/Resuscitation. In every patient, you immediately look for problems that can cause death within minutes and address them in order: secure the airway and ensure adequate breathing, assess and support circulation, then check disability (neuro status) and exposure. This ABCDE approach means you don’t proceed to a full head‑to‑toe examination or gather a full history until you’ve stabilized the essentials that keep the patient alive. Vital signs and a more detailed check come next, once the patient’s immediate risks are managed. Triage and dispatch relate to scene management and getting resources, not the initial patient assessment itself.

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