Which task is part of conducting a secondary assessment?

Conducting a secondary assessment is a crucial part of evaluating a patient’s condition after the primary assessment has been completed. During this phase, practitioners gather more detailed information to understand the extent of any injuries or medical conditions.

The task of taking a blood pressure reading is a vital component of the secondary assessment. It helps assess the patient's hemodynamic status and can indicate shock or other cardiovascular issues. Blood pressure readings provide essential data that contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the patient's condition, allowing for more informed decision-making regarding treatment and transport.

In contrast, the other tasks listed do not align with the specifics of a secondary assessment. Checking vital signs only would include all vital signs and does not focus specifically on the detailed assessment. Administering medication typically occurs as a part of treatment based on findings rather than during the assessment phase. Initiating transport follows the assessment process and occurs when the situation is deemed critical, thus it is not part of the assessment itself. Therefore, taking a blood pressure reading stands out as a specific action within the scope of the secondary assessment.