Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries Exam 1 Practice

Disability in the primary survey is all about the nervous system and mental status. It quickly screens how well the brain is functioning by looking at neurological status and level of consciousness. A rapid check asks: Is the person fully alert or only responsive to voice or to painful stimuli? Can they follow simple commands? What is their orientation (person, place, time)? Are there any obvious motor or sensory deficits, such as weakness or asymmetry in limb movement, or abnormal pupil responses? These questions help identify potential brain injury, severe head trauma, stroke, or other neurologic problems that need urgent attention.

Breathing rate, skin color, and heart rate are important, but they belong to the other parts of the primary survey (breathing and circulation). Disability specifically targets the nervous system to gauge how the injury or illness is affecting consciousness and neurological function.