What is typically the first step in a secondary survey during patient assessment?

The first step in a secondary survey during patient assessment is to obtain vital signs. This is crucial because vital signs serve as a baseline for understanding the patient’s condition and help identify any immediate life threats that may need to be addressed. Vital signs include measurements like heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and temperature, which collectively give insight into the patient’s physiological status.

By obtaining these vital signs early in the secondary survey, responders can effectively monitor changes over time and assess the effectiveness of any interventions provided later on. This foundational step lays the groundwork for the subsequent physical examination and documentation of patient history, which will build upon the insights gained from vital signs. Properly sequencing these actions ensures that the assessment is thorough and that critical information is not overlooked, which could impact patient care.