What is the purpose of the Exposure component in the primary survey?

• A. Fully expose the patient to inspect for hidden injuries and then re-cover to prevent hypothermia.
• B. Keep patient covered to avoid heat loss.
• C. Only expose the chest.
• D. Record vital signs while covered.

Answer: (A)

Exposure in the primary survey means fully exposing the patient to allow a thorough visual and tactile inspection of the entire body for injuries, hidden bleeding, deformities, burns, or other trauma that might be concealed by clothing or equipment. After the assessment, you re-cover the patient to prevent heat loss. Maintaining warmth is essential because hypothermia worsens bleeding, coagulopathy, and overall outcomes in trauma patients. So the goal is to reveal all potential injuries, then quickly protect the patient from cold once the inspection is complete.