ABC (medicine)
Overview of the ABC mnemonic in emergency medicine
ABC is a mnemonic used in emergency medicine to guide the priorities of care for critically ill patients. It stands for Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. These are the three critical components that must be assessed and managed in order to stabilize a patient in an emergency situation.
Overview[edit | edit source]
The ABC approach is a fundamental principle in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and emergency medical care. It is used to quickly assess and treat life-threatening conditions in a systematic manner.
Airway[edit | edit source]
The first priority is to ensure that the patient's airway is open and clear. An obstructed airway can lead to hypoxia and cardiac arrest. Techniques to open the airway include the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver and the jaw-thrust maneuver. In some cases, advanced airway management may be required, such as the use of an endotracheal tube.
Breathing[edit | edit source]
Once the airway is secured, the next step is to assess and support the patient's breathing. This involves checking for adequate ventilation and oxygenation. If the patient is not breathing adequately, rescue breaths or bag-valve-mask ventilation may be necessary. Oxygen therapy can also be administered to improve oxygen saturation.
Circulation[edit | edit source]
The final component is to assess and support circulation. This involves checking the patient's pulse, blood pressure, and signs of shock. If the patient is in cardiac arrest, chest compressions should be initiated immediately. Intravenous access may be established to administer fluids or medications.
Application[edit | edit source]
The ABC approach is used in various settings, including pre-hospital care, emergency departments, and during advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). It is a critical component of the primary survey in trauma care and is often followed by a more detailed secondary survey once the patient is stabilized.
Images[edit | edit source]
Also see[edit | edit source]
| Classification |
|
|---|---|
| External resources |
|
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Kondreddy Naveen, Prab R. Tumpati, MD
