When should a complete set of vials be taken during a medical assessment?

A complete set of vital signs should be taken at the beginning and end of the secondary assessment to establish a baseline measurement and to monitor any changes in the patient’s condition. Initially obtaining vital signs allows emergency responders to gather important information about the patient's current state, including heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and temperature. This baseline data can be crucial for identifying trends in the patient’s condition.

After the secondary assessment, obtaining a second set of vital signs is equally crucial, as it helps assess the effectiveness of the interventions that were implemented during the assessment and management of the patient. This practice supports ongoing monitoring and ensures that any changes in the patient’s vital signs, which may indicate deterioration or improvement, are clearly documented.

Taking vital signs only at the start of the primary assessment would miss critical information that could arise as the situation evolves, while obtaining them throughout the assessment could lead to confusion in data collection. Waiting until after the patient is stabilized fails to provide a comprehensive view of their condition throughout the entirety of their medical assessment.