Which step follows 'Breathing' in the ABCDE trauma assessment?

In the ABCDE trauma assessment, which stands for Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure, the sequence is designed to prioritize the life-threatening conditions of a patient in order of importance. After ensuring that the patient is breathing adequately, the next step focuses on assessing Circulation.

Circulation involves checking the patient's pulse, looking for signs of external bleeding, and taking measures to control any hemorrhage. This step is crucial because any major loss of blood or inadequate circulation can lead to shock and be life-threatening, making it vital to address circulatory issues right after ensuring that the patient can breathe.

The order of ABCDE is structured so that after addressing the airway and confirming effective breathing, the medic can then evaluate circulatory status to ensure the patient is hemodynamically stable. Therefore, it logically follows that Circulation comes after Breathing in the trauma assessment process.