The ABCDE assessment is a systematic approach to a critically unwell patient. It is commonplace in A&E and ITU but is also appropriate to use when dealing with a patient on any ward who becomes acutely unwell.
It is an essential framework to follow as it starts with what is most likely to impact patient mortality (i.e. issues affecting the airway) to the least likely.
If you follow ABCDE assessment, then you have done right by the patient.
In the next two questions we will try and match appropriate interventions to the following table
| Initial Assessment (look, listen, feel) | Measure | Action | Consider | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airway | ||||
| Breathing | ||||
| Circulation | ||||
| Disability | ||||
| Exposure |