In a patient in respiratory distress, which assessment should be performed first?

In a patient in respiratory distress, which assessment should be performed first?

• A. Breathing
• B. Airway
• C. Circulation
• D. Disability

Answer: (B)

Prioritize airway patency. In an emergency, keeping the airway open is the first step because oxygen can't reach the lungs if the airway is obstructed, so you can’t reliably assess or support breathing or circulation until the airway is clear. So you first check for any obstruction, ensure the airway is open (maneuvers like head-tilt and chin-lift or jaw-thrust if spinal injury is suspected), suction if needed, and prepare to secure the airway if patency cannot be maintained. Only after confirming a patent airway do you proceed to evaluate breathing, then circulation and other assessments.

Prioritize airway patency. In an emergency, keeping the airway open is the first step because oxygen can't reach the lungs if the airway is obstructed, so you can’t reliably assess or support breathing or circulation until the airway is clear. So you first check for any obstruction, ensure the airway is open (maneuvers like head-tilt and chin-lift or jaw-thrust if spinal injury is suspected), suction if needed, and prepare to secure the airway if patency cannot be maintained. Only after confirming a patent airway do you proceed to evaluate breathing, then circulation and other assessments.