During admission of a patient with a severe head injury to the emergency department, the nurse places the highest priority on assessment for

A. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage is important to note but not the immediate priority. B. Assessing for neck injury is crucial but airway management takes precedence to prevent life-threatening hypoxia. C. Ensuring airway patency is the highest priority in trauma care to maintain oxygenation and ventilation, which are vital for survival. D. Neurological assessment with the Glasgow Coma Scale is important but comes after securing airway, breathing, and circulation.