What does the secondary assessment focus on when dealing with trauma patients?

The secondary assessment is a crucial step in the evaluation of trauma patients and is centered on a thorough physical examination and vital signs assessment. This process allows EMTs to gather detailed information about the patient's condition, identify potential injuries that were not immediately apparent during the primary assessment, and monitor the patient's vital signs for any changes.

During the physical examination, EMTs look for signs of injury, such as bruising, swelling, or deformities, and assess the patient's overall physical state. Vital signs, including pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and level of consciousness, provide essential insights into the patient's physiological status, helping to determine the severity of injuries and the need for immediate medical intervention.

While the other options, such as obtaining a detailed patient history, assessing signs and symptoms, and evaluating the last oral intake and events leading to the incident, are indeed important components of a comprehensive assessment, they are typically part of the broader patient care process. The secondary assessment specifically emphasizes the physical examination and vital signs to ensure that no critical information is overlooked that could impact patient management and treatment decisions.