What does the acronym ABC stand for in emergency medicine?

In emergency medicine, the acronym ABC stands for Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. This sequence is critical for assessing and managing a patient's condition in a life-threatening situation.

The reason Airway comes first is that ensuring an open airway is vital for oxygenation; if the airway is obstructed, breathing cannot occur effectively. Following this, Breathing refers to the assessment and support of the patient's respiratory function. Lastly, Circulation involves evaluating the heart's ability to pump blood effectively throughout the body. This approach is fundamental as it prioritizes the most immediate needs of a patient who may be in distress.

This systematic method helps emergency responders focus on the most critical aspects of patient care, ensuring that life-threatening issues are addressed in the correct order. This order of operations is widely taught in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), underscoring its importance in clinical practice.