Which assessments would be included in a primary assessment?

The primary assessment in advanced life support focuses on determining the immediate life threats and stabilizing the patient's condition. This assessment is critical because it helps to quickly identify and address any airway, breathing, or circulation issues.

Checking airway patency is essential as it assesses whether the airway is clear and allows for adequate ventilation. Ensuring that the airway is open is the first step in managing a patient’s immediate needs, as an obstructed airway can rapidly lead to hypoxia and potentially fatal consequences. This action sets the stage for further assessments and interventions that may be necessary, such as providing supplemental oxygen or performing advanced airway management techniques.

In contrast, assessments such as evaluating a patient's long-term health, checking for psychological state, or gathering past medical history pertain to secondary assessments, which focus on providing more comprehensive information but are not prioritized in a primary assessment. These aspects are important for overall care but do not address immediate life threats directly involved in the acute phase of patient management. Therefore, the focus during primary assessment is strictly on ensuring the airway is clear, breathing is adequate, and circulation is restored or maintained.