In CPR, what does the acronym ABC stand for?

In CPR, what does the acronym ABC stand for?

• A. Airway, Breathing, Circulation
• B. Alarm, Breathing, Circulation
• C. Airway, Balance, Circulation
• D. Airflow, Breathing, Circulation

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is the order of actions in CPR. ABC stands for Airway, Breathing, Circulation. First, you ensure the airway is open and clear so air can move into the lungs. If the person isn’t breathing, you provide breaths to supply oxygen. Next, you assess and support circulation, typically by starting chest compressions and using defibrillation as needed to keep blood flowing to vital organs. This sequence—open airway, help with breathing, then support circulation—maximizes the chances that oxygen reaches the lungs and is then pumped to the body. Other options use terms not part of standard CPR (like Alarm or Balance) or swap the steps (Airflow instead of Airway, for example), which doesn’t reflect the established sequence.

The main idea here is the order of actions in CPR. ABC stands for Airway, Breathing, Circulation. First, you ensure the airway is open and clear so air can move into the lungs. If the person isn’t breathing, you provide breaths to supply oxygen. Next, you assess and support circulation, typically by starting chest compressions and using defibrillation as needed to keep blood flowing to vital organs. This sequence—open airway, help with breathing, then support circulation—maximizes the chances that oxygen reaches the lungs and is then pumped to the body.

Other options use terms not part of standard CPR (like Alarm or Balance) or swap the steps (Airflow instead of Airway, for example), which doesn’t reflect the established sequence.