In the trauma primary survey, what does 'E' include?

• A. full set of vital signs and family presence
• B. exposure and environmental control
• C. airway management
• D. disability

Answer: (D)

Exposure and Environmental Control is what the E stands for in the trauma primary survey. After you’ve secured the airway, assessed breathing, and begun circulation, you fully expose the patient to inspect for injuries that aren’t visible under their clothes. At the same time, you prioritize keeping the patient warm and preventing hypothermia—use warming blankets, warmed IV fluids, minimize heat loss, and maintain an appropriate environment. You may also need to log-roll the patient with spinal precautions to inspect the back. This step emphasizes the dual goals of thorough examination and temperature maintenance, rather than assessing neurologic status (which is the Disability step) or handling airway and vital signs (which occur in the earlier steps or as ongoing monitoring).