What is the primary purpose of a secondary assessment?

The primary purpose of a secondary assessment is to gather more detailed information about the patient's condition. During this part of the evaluation, EMTs conduct a thorough physical examination after the initial assessment has identified any immediate life-threatening issues. By focusing on this detailed assessment, EMTs can uncover additional injuries or medical conditions that may not have been evident initially but still require attention. This process is crucial for formulating a comprehensive understanding of the patient’s health status and ensuring appropriate care and interventions are implemented.

In contrast, while emergency care and addressing life-threatening conditions are vital aspects of prehospital care, they are more directly associated with the primary assessment phase. Scene safety is also critical but pertains to ensuring the environment is secure before the assessment begins, rather than the purpose of the secondary assessment itself.