In patient assessment, what does the acronym 'ABC' refer to?

The acronym 'ABC' in patient assessment stands for Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. This sequence is fundamental in emergency care and is critical for determining the stability and needs of a patient, particularly in life-threatening situations.

Airway is the first priority because an unobstructed airway is essential for oxygenation; without it, a patient cannot breathe effectively. Next is Breathing, which assesses the patient's ability to take in air and exchange gases, indicating if they are getting enough oxygen and if they can exhale carbon dioxide effectively. Lastly, Circulation focuses on the patient's cardiovascular status, ensuring that blood is circulating effectively throughout the body to provide vital organs and tissues with oxygen and nutrients.

This prioritization aligns with the principles of basic life support (BLS) and is widely accepted in both pre-hospital and hospital emergency settings to help healthcare providers efficiently assess and stabilize patients. The other options do not accurately represent this critical first step in patient assessment, which is why they do not fit the recognized protocol.