Airway Or Circulation

Which one can't breathe?

Depends on the situation. On that one, you have to follow CAB and get to the MI patient first.

NCLEX is currently ABC because they haven't updated the questions. They are updating in April when I'm guessing it will switch to CAB. I didn't have any "who would you see first" questions that were that tricky. They were obvious.

Which patient will be prioritize first: an asthmatic patient who is dyspnic or an MI patient who came in to ED who is unresponsive? Which is which... ABC or CAB?

The nurse has to see the most unstable patient first...although dyspneic the asthmatic is still breathing. MI patient would be my priority.

The MI pt, the asthmatic pt is still breathing.

MI pt. he's the one that unresponsive.

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)

MI pt is the priority.

Another way to think about it is Acute (unstable) vs. Chronic (stable). Asthma patients an often dyspenic (chronic), and unresponsive MI is very acute and unstable; if you doesn't act, asystole is the most stable ECG rhythm.

This framework doesn't fit perfectly here, but it's worth remembering.