Assessment and prioritization
ABC
Airway, Breathing, Circulation
The classic priority framework: airway problems outrank breathing problems, which outrank circulation problems. It is the backbone of prioritization questions across every nursing exam.
What each letter stands for
- 1 Airway — is the passage open and clear?
- 2 Breathing — is air actually moving?
- 3 Circulation — is blood reaching tissue?
How it gets tested
Prioritization items give four plausible concerns and ask which the nurse addresses first. Working down the letters resolves most of them. Note that the order flips to CAB for adult CPR, which is a separate item entirely.
Related terms
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