What is the purpose of performing a secondary survey?

Performing a secondary survey is a critical step in the assessment process for first responders. The primary purpose is to identify additional injuries or conditions after ensuring that any life-threatening situations have been addressed during the primary survey. This thorough assessment allows responders to gather comprehensive information about the patient's condition, which is essential for providing appropriate care and facilitating further treatment.

By systematically evaluating the patient after the immediate threats have been managed, responders can discover non-life-threatening injuries that may require attention, such as fractures, soft tissue injuries, or signs of internal bleeding. This detailed examination contributes to a complete understanding of the patient's health status and ensures that no injuries are overlooked, which is vital for effective treatment and outcome.

The other options focus on aspects that, while important in certain contexts, do not capture the primary objective of the secondary survey. Rushing a patient to the hospital without a thorough assessment can lead to missed injuries, while evaluating medical history and gathering information for emergency contacts are important but not the core focus of the secondary survey itself.