A nurse in an emergency department is preparing to care for a client who is being brought in with multiple system trauma following a motor vehicle crash. Which of the following should the nurse identify as the priority focus of care?

A. Preventing musculoskeletal disability Important, but not priority in life-threatening trauma. B. Stabilizing cardiac arrhythmias Secondary-ABCs take precedence. C. Decreasing intracranial pressure Important in head injury but only after airway is secure. D. Airway protection Airway is the priority in trauma (per ABCs: Airway, Breathing, Circulation).