High-Priority Patient Assessment
You arrive for a 58-year-old patient found seated, confused, pale, cool, and diaphoretic. The patient speaks only in short phrases, has shallow rapid breathing, a weak rapid radial pulse, and reports crushing chest pressure. Before gathering a full history or completing a detailed exam, the EMT must use this rapid, organized process to identify and immediately manage life threats related to airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure.
What is the primary assessment?