Which term describes a rapid evaluation of a patient to screen for potential injuries?

The term that describes a rapid evaluation of a patient to screen for potential injuries is "rapid trauma assessment." This assessment is a critical component of trauma care, aimed at quickly identifying life-threatening conditions that require immediate intervention. The process typically takes no more than a few minutes and involves assessing the patient's airway, breathing, circulation, and any obvious signs of injury. The focus is on life-threatening injuries, ensuring that any critical interventions can be applied without delay.

In contrast to this, the primary assessment is also a systematic method to identify immediate threats to life but is broader in scope, often encompassing airway management and basic life support. Focused assessment typically entails a more detailed examination of specific body areas after initial life threats have been addressed, while a comprehensive evaluation is an in-depth review that may occur later in the care process when time allows, often including a thorough history and physical examination. Thus, rapid trauma assessment is specifically designed for situations where time is of the essence and rapid identification of injuries is paramount.