What is the primary purpose of performing a primary assessment?

The primary purpose of performing a primary assessment is to identify immediate threats to life. This assessment is a critical first step in emergency medical care, as it allows the EMT to quickly evaluate the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation, often referred to as the ABCs. During this assessment, the EMT is looking for life-threatening conditions that require immediate intervention, such as obstructed airways, inadequate breathing, or severe hemorrhage.

By focusing on identifying immediate threats, the EMT can prioritize interventions and address the most critical issues before moving on to more detailed assessments or history-taking. This systematic approach minimizes the risk of deterioration in the patient's condition and ensures that life-saving measures are implemented without delay.