When caring for a critically injured patient, it is MOST appropriate to perform your secondary assessment:

• A. Immediately following the primary assessment.
• B. While you are en route to the hospital.
• C. Immediately after taking baseline vital signs.
• D. After all life threats have been ruled out.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is to gather a thorough, ongoing assessment without delaying transport. After the primary survey has identified and addressed life threats, the secondary assessment should be performed during transport to definitive care. Doing it while en route lets you continue a head-to-toe evaluation, observe for any evolving signs, and relay timely findings to the receiving facility, all while the patient is being moved to definitive care. This approach maximizes the benefits of rapid transport and ongoing reassessment, rather than stalling on scene to complete the secondary survey.