Question:

In the primary survey, which is NOT included?

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Imaging in the scanner belongs to a later survey, not the bedside ABCDE.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
  • CECT to look for bleeding
  • Exposure of the whole body
  • ABC
  • Recording BP
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Answer: CECT to look for bleeding.

What the primary survey is: The trauma primary survey rapidly finds and treats immediately life-threatening problems and follows cABCDE: c for catastrophic external haemorrhage, A for airway with cervical spine control, B for breathing and ventilation, C for circulation and haemorrhage control, D for disability (neurology), E for exposure of the whole patient.

Why option A: A contrast-enhanced CT is an imaging investigation that belongs to the secondary survey or definitive workup once the patient is stabilised. It is not part of the bedside primary survey and an unstable patient should not be moved to the CT scanner, so A is the thing NOT included.

Why the others are included: Exposure of the whole body (B) is the E of cABCDE. ABC (C) is the core airway, breathing, circulation backbone. Recording BP (D) is part of assessing circulation in the C step.

Ref: Bailey and Love, Short Practice of Surgery, 27e, Pg 323.
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