What is the third step in the lifesaving ABCs of medical treatment?

• A. Open the airway and restore breathing
• B. Stop the bleeding/ protect the wound
• C. Prevent shock
• D. Check heart rate

Answer: (C)

The sequence of lifesaving care focuses on keeping blood flowing to vital organs after you’ve addressed the airway and breathing. Once those are stabilized, the next priority is circulation—ensuring adequate blood flow and preventing shock. Preventing shock captures this goal: it means maintaining perfusion, supporting blood pressure, and reducing further blood loss so organs continue to receive oxygen and nutrients. Stopping bleeding is a key part of supporting circulation, but the explicit next step in the ABC framework is to prevent shock by preserving circulation. The other options either describe actions taken earlier (opening the airway and breathing) or aren’t the stated next focus in the ABC order (checking heart rate), making preventing shock the best fit for the third step.