Definition
The ABCDE of trauma care represents a systematic approach to goal-oriented initial evaluation and resuscitation of injured patients. It is a five-step sequence:
A… Airway must be either maintained or secured while protecting the cervical spine
B… Breathing must be either supported or controlled while oxygen is delivered
C… Circulation is supported and hemorrhage contained
D… Disability is assessed and the risk of secondary injury is restricted
E… Exposure helps evaluate the full extent of obvious injuries/Environmental control helps minimize or prevent hypothermia
The ABCDE sequence is usually performed in a coordinated team effort. The primary survey is followed by a more detailed secondary survey. The “golden” hour of trauma care refers to the entire initial period of trauma assessment and resuscitation that plays the crucial...
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Dupanovic, M. (2015). ABCDE of Trauma Care. In: Papadakos, P.J., Gestring, M.L. (eds) Encyclopedia of Trauma Care. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-29613-0_456
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-29613-0_456
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