ABC of Homeostasis

A for AIRWAY: We should make sure that the airways are open; also cervical spine injury should be analyzed.

Attention:
An airway is needed for all unconscious patients.
- in the ER best method is Orotracheal intubation
- in the field its needle Cricothyroidectomy.
For conscious patient the best airway is chin lift with face mask.

B for BREATHING: Patient should be able to breath normally or we need to help him/her with that.

C for CIRCULATION: It needs control of bleeding and restoring the blood pressure. In most external injuries pressure is enough to stop bleeding but in case of scalp laceration suturing is needed. Also all Patients with hypotension should receive rapid infusion of isotonic fluid like ringer lactate to prevent life threatening hypotension.

Attention: Patient can go to shock because of internal bleeding in the following
situation:
- Abdominal Bleeding
- Intra Pelvic Bleeding
- Femural Fracture (fracture of each femur can make the patient lose about 1.5 litter of blood.

Attention: If IV line is not possible:
- for adults do saphaneous vein cut down
- for children intraosseous cannulation