Secondary Assessment

Question 1

What are the 3 main steps of the secondary assessment?

Answer 1

1. Patient/bystander interview to obtain more information on MOI and C/C (Chief complaint)
   - SAMPLE
   OPQRST
2. Check patient’s vital signs
3. Head-to-toe physical examination
   - Injuries may or may not be life-threatening but could become so if not treated
   - Includes inspection, auscultation, and palpation

Question 2

What is included in the patient interview?

Answer 2

SAMPLE
Signs/Symptoms
Allergies
Medications
Past medical history
Last oral intake
Events prior

OPQRST (pain questions - only an option if patient is responsive)
Onset - did it come on suddenly? over minutes/hours/days?
Provocation - What aggravates the pain?
Quality - What does the pain feel like? (sharp, dull, throbbing, aching?)
Radiation and Region - Where is the pain? Does it radiate anywhere else?
Severity/Scale - 1-10 how much does it hurt?
Time - How long has it been hurting?

Question 3

What are the steps of the head to toe assessment?

Answer 3

Inform patient you will be performing assessment/gain consent/ask for feedback
Check head - fluids, battle sign, raccoon eyes. Check for fractures/damage to cranium/c spine ( or indicate that it was done in primary)
Neck - check for tracheal deviation, JVD
Thorax/back - paradoxical breathing, clavicle/shoulder/sternum/ribs fracture or deformity check
Abdomen - expose/palpate quadrants. Look for discolouration. Wet check under back for pooling blood
Assess pelvis - observe for incontinence/blood. Compression/gap (or indicate that it was done in primary). Femoral pulse
PMS in all limbs
Look for medical alert indicators (tattoo/bracelet, etc)