In the ABCDE primary survey, what does the 'Disability' component assess?

• A. Blood pressure
• B. Neurologic status
• C. Urine output
• D. Oxygen saturation

Answer: (B)

Disability in the ABCDE assessment is a quick neurologic screen of brain function. It focuses on how awake or oriented the patient is and how they respond to stimuli, which reflects the level of consciousness and nervous system status. Clinically, you’d use a simple scale like AVPU (Alert, responds to Voice, responds to Pain, Unresponsive) or the Glasgow Coma Scale to quantify this, and you’d also note pupil size and reactivity and any purposeful versus nonpurposeful movements of the limbs. This helps you spot brain injury, hypoxia, or other processes impairing neurologic function that require immediate attention. It isn’t about blood pressure, oxygen saturation, or urine output, which are monitored under other parts of the survey. If the disability assessment worsens, it signals the need for quick actions to protect the brain and airway.