Trauma
Secondary Survey & Injury Assessment
Head-to-toe secondary survey for trauma patients: AMPLE history, systematic physical examination to identify all injuries after primary survey stabilization.
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Guideline-supported example educational content* based on ATLS principles. Always follow your institution's trauma protocols and...Section
Content Status
Guideline-supported example educational content* based on ATLS principles. Always follow your institution's trauma protocols and...- Guideline-supported example educational content* based on ATLS principles. Always follow your institution's trauma protocols and attending guidance.
The secondary survey begins only after the primary survey is complete and life-threatening injuries have been addressed.
History — AMPLE
Letter • Component • ASection
History — AMPLE
Letter • Component • A| Letter | Component |
|---|---|
| A | Allergies |
| M | Medications |
| P | Past medical/surgical history |
| L | Last oral intake |
| E | Events/Environment — mechanism and surroundings |
Head-to-Toe Examination
Scalp lacerations, skull deformities, facial fractures, raccoon eyes (basilar skull), Battle's sign, hemotympanum, pupil...Section
Head-to-Toe Examination
Scalp lacerations, skull deformities, facial fractures, raccoon eyes (basilar skull), Battle's sign, hemotympanum, pupil...Head
Scalp lacerations, skull deformities, facial fractures, raccoon eyes (basilar skull), Battle's sign, hemotympanum, pupil size/reactivity, EOMs
Neck
C-spine tenderness/step-off, tracheal deviation, JVD, subcutaneous emphysema, penetrating wounds
Chest
Chest wall stability, breath sounds bilateral, bowel sounds in chest (diaphragm injury), penetrating wounds
Abdomen
Tenderness, guarding, rigidity, seat belt sign, penetrating wounds, repeat FAST
Pelvis
Pelvic ring stability (single lateral compression — do NOT spring), perineal/genital lacerations, blood at urethral meatus
Extremities
Deformity, neurovascular status (pulses, sensation, motor), open wounds, compartment syndrome signs
Back
Logroll — entire posterior surface, spine tenderness/step-off, flank ecchymosis (Grey Turner sign)
Neurologic
Complete GCS, motor/sensory all extremities, cranial nerve assessment
Adjuncts
CT imaging (head, C-spine, chest, abdomen/pelvis as indicated) • Plain films (extremities as indicated) • Vascular studies for...Section
Adjuncts
CT imaging (head, C-spine, chest, abdomen/pelvis as indicated) • Plain films (extremities as indicated) • Vascular studies for...- CT imaging (head, C-spine, chest, abdomen/pelvis as indicated)
- Plain films (extremities as indicated)
- Vascular studies for limb-threatening injury
- Urinalysis (hematuria → urologic injury)
- Guideline-supported example educational content based on ATLS principles. Do not use without attending guidance and local institutional review.*