When is the secondary assessment performed?

The secondary assessment is performed after determining that there are no immediate life-threatening conditions present. This step is crucial because it allows the responder to focus on identifying and addressing other injuries or medical issues that may require attention but are not immediately life-threatening.

During the secondary assessment, the responder conducts a thorough evaluation to gather more information about the victim's condition. This includes checking vital signs, examining for wounds, and taking a history of the incident and any pre-existing conditions. Addressing non-life-threatening conditions following the assurance of stability helps ensure that all aspects of the victim's health are evaluated and managed appropriately, promoting a comprehensive approach to care.

In this context, performing the secondary assessment involves systematic techniques such as using the SAMPLE acronym (Signs, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake, and Events leading up to the incident) to collect relevant information about the patient’s condition, ultimately guiding further treatment decisions.