In the trauma primary survey, the component labeled 'H' requires which action?

• A. Inspect posterior surfaces
• B. Assess airway patency
• C. Evaluate circulation
• D. Check mental status

Answer: (A)

During the trauma primary survey, after you have addressed airway, breathing, and circulation, you perform a head-to-toe examination that includes inspecting the posterior surfaces. This step ensures you don’t miss injuries hidden on the back, such as wounds, deformities, or signs of trauma to the posterior chest, back, or spine, which you would not see from the front and may only become apparent after turning the patient with spinal precautions.

Airway patency is evaluated during the airway portion, circulation is assessed during the circulation portion, and mental status is checked during the neurologic/disability assessment, so those actions belong to their respective steps rather than the posterior survey.