The determination of whether a medical patient is a high-priority or low-priority transport is typically made:

The determination of whether a medical patient is a high-priority or low-priority transport is typically made:

• A. after the primary assessment has been completed.
• B. upon completion of a detailed secondary assessment.
• C. as soon as the patient voices his or her chief complaint.
• D. once the patient's baseline vital signs are known.

Answer: (A)

Priorities for transport are decided during the primary assessment because that quick survey reveals any immediate life threats and what stabilization is needed before moving. The primary assessment focuses on airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure. If anything life-threatening is found, you know right away that rapid transport with necessary interventions is required. If the patient stabilizes, a lower-priority transport can be considered. Waiting to complete a detailed secondary assessment, waiting for the chief complaint to dictate urgency, or waiting for baseline vitals to be known would delay critical decisions and may miss urgent needs identified early in the evaluation.

Priorities for transport are decided during the primary assessment because that quick survey reveals any immediate life threats and what stabilization is needed before moving. The primary assessment focuses on airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure. If anything life-threatening is found, you know right away that rapid transport with necessary interventions is required. If the patient stabilizes, a lower-priority transport can be considered. Waiting to complete a detailed secondary assessment, waiting for the chief complaint to dictate urgency, or waiting for baseline vitals to be known would delay critical decisions and may miss urgent needs identified early in the evaluation.