Orange County Florida Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Protocol Practice Test

The acronym "CABCDE" in trauma assessments specifically stands for Catastrophic hemorrhage, Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure. This approach is crucial in the initial management of trauma patients as it helps prioritize life-threatening conditions that require immediate attention.

Starting with catastrophic hemorrhage emphasizes the need to control severe bleeding immediately, as it can lead to rapid deterioration and death. Following this, assessing the airway is vital to ensure that the patient can breathe effectively; any obstruction can severely compromise oxygenation. After ensuring the airway is clear, evaluating breathing allows responders to determine if the patient requires ventilatory support.

Next is circulation, which involves checking the patient's pulse and blood pressure, addressing any signs of shock, and ensuring perfusion to vital organs. The disability assessment checks the neurological status of the patient, often using the AVPU scale (Alert, Verbal response, Pain response, Unresponsive) to gauge their consciousness level. Lastly, exposure involves fully exposing the patient to identify any other injuries while maintaining their body temperature to prevent hypothermia.

This systematic approach ensures that no critical aspects of the trauma assessment are overlooked, optimizing the patient's chances for survival. The other options, while containing relevant terms, do not align correctly with