ABCDE approach

• ABCDE


  Airway

  Breathing

  Circulation

  Disability

  Exposure
• General principles 


  Saftey

  Treat life threatening problems

  Assess affects of treatment / interventions

  Call for help

  Continuous assessment
• recognition of airway obstruction 


  difficulty breathing

  shortness of breath

  noisy breathing
• what to check for breathing problems

  respiratory rate

  chest examination

  working accessory muscle

  deformity
• recognition of circulation problems 


  pulse

  blood pressure

  organ perfusion
• recognition of disability 


  AVPU

  pupils

  blood glucose
• exposure 


  remove clothes for examination

  avoid heat loss

  maintain dignity