In the MARCH priority sequence, which areas are addressed after hemorrhage, airway, respiration, and circulation?

In the MARCH priority sequence, which areas are addressed after hemorrhage, airway, respiration, and circulation?

• A. Impairment and hypothermia
• B. Pain management
• C. Nutritional status
• D. Environmental exposure only

Answer: (A)

After you’ve tackled life-threatening hemorrhage and checked airway, breathing, and circulation, the next priorities focus on how the patient is functioning neurologically and on keeping them warm. Assessing impairment (disability) checks the level of consciousness and potential brain injury, which guides monitoring and further treatment. Preventing hypothermia is crucial because cold exposure worsens bleeding, impairs coagulation, and increases mortality risk; warming the patient helps stabilize physiology and improves outcomes. Pain management and nutritional status are important in broader care, but they aren’t the immediate next steps in the MARCH sequence. Environmental exposure is addressed by keeping the patient warm, but the paired focus on impairment and hypothermia best captures what’s addressed next.

After you’ve tackled life-threatening hemorrhage and checked airway, breathing, and circulation, the next priorities focus on how the patient is functioning neurologically and on keeping them warm. Assessing impairment (disability) checks the level of consciousness and potential brain injury, which guides monitoring and further treatment. Preventing hypothermia is crucial because cold exposure worsens bleeding, impairs coagulation, and increases mortality risk; warming the patient helps stabilize physiology and improves outcomes.

Pain management and nutritional status are important in broader care, but they aren’t the immediate next steps in the MARCH sequence. Environmental exposure is addressed by keeping the patient warm, but the paired focus on impairment and hypothermia best captures what’s addressed next.