Question:easy

In the modern trauma resuscitation protocol used for a patient with exsanguinating external hemorrhage, what is the correct order of priorities?

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Massive external bleeding is addressed even before the airway: 'C'-ABCDE.
Updated On: Jun 25, 2026
  • Catastrophic hemorrhage control to Airway to Breathing to Circulation to Disability to Exposure (C-ABCDE)
  • Airway to Breathing to Circulation to Disability to Exposure (ABCDE)
  • Circulation to Airway to Breathing to Disability to Exposure (CABDE)
  • Disability to Airway to Breathing to Circulation to Exposure
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

This question asks for the priority sequence in trauma resuscitation when the patient is bleeding catastrophically.

Standard $ATLS$ teaches the primary survey as A to B to C to D to E. However, a patient with a torn limb vessel or major external haemorrhage can exsanguinate within minutes - faster than any airway problem will kill them. Battlefield and modern civilian trauma guidelines therefore prefix an extra step:

\[ \langle C \rangle \to A \to B \to C \to D \to E \]

where the leading $\langle C \rangle$ is Catastrophic haemorrhage control - apply direct pressure, a tourniquet, or a haemostatic dressing first. Only then do you secure the Airway, support Breathing, restore Circulation, assess Disability (neurology) and complete Exposure.

The other choices either start from the unmodified ABCDE (ignoring the exsanguination) or scramble the order, none of which prioritises stopping the bleeding that is the immediate threat to life.

\[\boxed{\langle C \rangle\text{-A-B-C-D-E: control catastrophic bleeding before airway}}\]
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