In trauma assessment, what does the acronym MARCH represent?

The acronym MARCH is critical in trauma assessment, especially for combat medics. It stands for Massive hemorrhage, Airway, Respiration, Circulation, and Head injury/hypothermia. This mnemonic provides a systematic approach to trauma care that prioritizes the immediate life threats to a casualty.

"Massive hemorrhage" is addressed first because rapid blood loss can quickly lead to shock and death. Once bleeding is controlled, the focus shifts to the "Airway," ensuring that the casualty can breathe properly. After securing the airway, "Respiration" is assessed to check for adequate ventilation; managing these aspects is vital for patient stability. Next, "Circulation" is evaluated to assess the heart's function and adequate blood flow, followed by addressing "Head injury/hypothermia," where any potential head trauma or hypothermic state is treated, further ensuring the patient’s chance for recovery.

This sequence reflects the urgency and priority of interventions in trauma care, which is essential knowledge for combat medics. The other options do not represent the recognized priorities or steps in trauma assessment and do not include the critical areas addressed by MARCH, making them less applicable in real-world scenarios.