ABCDE Approach
Airway:
Is there breath sounds or voice?
Yes
Breathing: Is there
Respiratory rate (12–20 min)
Chest wall movements
Chest percussion
Lung auscultation
Pulse oximetry (97%–100%)
No
Head tilt, chin lift
Oxygen (15L/Min)
Suction
Yes
Circulation: Is there
Skin color, sweating
Capillary refill time (<2s)
Palpate pulse rate (60–100 min)
Heart auscultation
Blood pressure (systolic 100–140 mmHg)
Electrocardiography monitoring
No
Seat comfortably
Rescue breaths
Inhaled medications
Bag-mask ventilation
Decompress tension pneumothorax
No
Stop bleeding
Elevate legs
Intravenous access
Infuse saline
Yes
Disability: Is there
Level of consciousness – AVPU
• Alert
• Voice responsive
• Pain responsive
• Unresponsive
Limb movements
Pupillary light reflexes
Blood glucose
No
Treat Airway,
Breathing, and
Circulation problems
Recovery position
Glucose for hypoglycemia
Yes
Exposure: Is there
Expose skin
Temperature
No
Treat suspected
cause