In the basic first-aid sequence, what step follows completing the primary survey?

In the basic first-aid sequence, what step follows completing the primary survey?

• A. Transport decisions.
• B. Scene safety again.
• C. Secondary survey.
• D. Bleeding control.

Answer: (C)

After you finish the primary survey, you switch to a thorough, methodical head-to-toe check and information gathering—the secondary survey. The primary survey focuses on life-threatening problems like the airway, breathing, circulation, and severe bleeding. Once those critical issues are addressed or ruled out, the secondary survey helps you find injuries that aren’t immediately life-threatening, assess overall condition, and guide further care or transport. It also involves obtaining a history (SAMPLE), checking vital signs, evaluating mental status, and noting signs of injury across the body. Rechecking scene safety, bleeding control, or transport decisions alone aren’t the immediate next step after completing the primary survey, because those elements are either part of the initial assessment or are refined as you gather more information during the secondary survey.

After you finish the primary survey, you switch to a thorough, methodical head-to-toe check and information gathering—the secondary survey. The primary survey focuses on life-threatening problems like the airway, breathing, circulation, and severe bleeding. Once those critical issues are addressed or ruled out, the secondary survey helps you find injuries that aren’t immediately life-threatening, assess overall condition, and guide further care or transport. It also involves obtaining a history (SAMPLE), checking vital signs, evaluating mental status, and noting signs of injury across the body. Rechecking scene safety, bleeding control, or transport decisions alone aren’t the immediate next step after completing the primary survey, because those elements are either part of the initial assessment or are refined as you gather more information during the secondary survey.