Primary Survey

Question: What is the aim of the Primary Survey?

Answer

An emergency room

Question: What is the aim of the Primary Survey?

Answer: The aim is:

  • To identify life-threatening problems in the order that they are most likely to kill the patient
  • To treat life-threatening problems as soon as they are identified

Question: What are the five components of the Primary Survey?

Answer

Question: What is the aim of the Primary Survey?

Answer: The aim is:

  • To identify life-threatening problems in the order that they are most likely to kill the patient
  • To treat life-threatening problems as soon as they are identified

Question: What are the five components of the Primary Survey?

Answer: The components are:

  • Catastrophic haemorrhage control: apply pressure +/- tourniquets to control massive external haemorrhage, apply pelvic binder and internally rotate limbs
  • Airway with cervical spine control: Clear the airway and maintain oxygenation
  • Breathing: Identify and treat life-threatening chest injuries
  • Circulation and haemorrhage control: Identify and treat bleeding and circulation problems, resuscitate with warmed blood if required
  • Disability: Rapid neurological assessment
  • Exposure:
    • Expose the patient and log-roll
    • Prevent hypothermia
    • Tubes and x-rays