Which option correctly defines reassessment?

• A. Reassessment
• B. Primary assessment
• C. Secondary assessment
• D. Scene size-up

Answer: (A)

Reassessment is the ongoing, repeated evaluation of a patient’s condition after the initial assessment and any treatment, done to detect changes, verify how well interventions are working, and guide further care. It keeps care responsive to how the patient’s status evolves, with checks at regular intervals or whenever you notice a change in condition. In practice, you monitor key factors like airway, breathing, circulation, mental status, and vital signs, comparing them to previous measurements to determine if things are improving, worsening, or staying the same. This approach is different from the initial rapid survey of life threats—the primary assessment—which is focused on immediate problems; and the more detailed, later exam and history—the secondary assessment; and from scene size-up, which is about hazards and resources at the scene before patient care begins. For example, after delivering a treatment for chest pain, you reassess to see if the patient’s pain level, breathing, and vital signs have improved and decide whether to continue, adjust, or escalate care.