What is the primary purpose of conducting a secondary assessment?

The primary purpose of conducting a secondary assessment is to discover any other injuries that a patient may have sustained. This assessment is a thorough evaluation that occurs after an initial assessment has been completed, which focuses on addressing life-threatening conditions first. The secondary assessment involves checking for additional signs and symptoms, conducting a head-to-toe examination, and asking the patient or bystanders for information about the incident. This comprehensive approach allows first responders to identify hidden injuries that may not be immediately apparent and ensure that all relevant medical needs of the patient are addressed.

While checking the environment for hazards is important for ensuring the safety of both the responder and the patient, it is not the primary goal of the secondary assessment. Similarly, determining the need for basic life support is typically done during the initial assessment, where immediate threats are identified and managed. Administering first aid is an action that may follow the findings of the secondary assessment, but the assessment itself is aimed primarily at uncovering additional injuries the patient may have.