The emergency clinician plays a critical role in coordinating a multi-disciplinary team to stabilize, resuscitate, and manage multiple<unk> patients
A structured assessment, namely the ABCDE method, can be used to systematically assess the<unk> patient to quickly identify and prioritize injuries, simplifying the thought process in a chaotic environment
Multiple<unk> (i.e. polytrauma) is defined as any<unk> associated with two or more injuries, of which, one injury is classified as life threatening
The two most common mechanisms of multiple<unk> are blunt and penetrating<unk> The ABCDE method is used to assess these<unk> patients: airway and cervical stabilization, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure/environmental control
General Approach to Multiple<unk> Patients
Pre-hospital and Triage
Primary Survey
Secondary Survey
Laboratory and Radiographic Evaluation
Disposition
The two most common mechanisms of multiple<unk> are blunt and penetrating<unk> Pre-hospital and Triage
Primary Survey
Secondary Survey
Laboratory and Radiographic Evaluation
Disposition
External
Internal
Thoracic cavity
Peritoneal cavity
Retroperitoneal space (i.e. pelvic fracture)
Femur fracture (into muscle/subcutaneous tissue)
Thoracic cavity
Peritoneal cavity
Retroperitoneal space (i.e. pelvic fracture)
Femur fracture (into muscle/subcutaneous tissue)
Trauma 
Traumatic brain injury
Cold injuries
Intracranial hemorrhage
Drugs of abuse
Moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury
Head trauma 
Elevated intracranial pressure