Which of the following should be an EMT's priority when dealing with a trauma patient?

The priority for an EMT when dealing with a trauma patient is maintaining airway, breathing, and circulation. This is fundamental in pre-hospital emergency care because these are the three critical aspects of life that must be stabilized first. Without a clear and patent airway, a patient cannot breathe properly, which can lead to hypoxia and ultimately death if not addressed immediately. Similarly, ensuring adequate circulation is essential for delivering oxygenated blood to vital organs and tissues.

In trauma situations, the mechanisms of injury can often impair these functions significantly. Therefore, the EMT must first secure the airway, confirm effective breathing, and establish circulation through controlling bleeding and ensuring proper perfusion.

Other options, while important, come after these primary assessments. Documenting vital signs or identifying non-life-threatening issues are aspects that can be addressed once the patient’s immediate life threats are managed. Similarly, assessing for shock is important but can be included as part of the secondary assessment after ensuring the critical functions of airway, breathing, and circulation are stable.