Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) Practice Test

For stable trauma patients, reassessment every 15 minutes or as necessary based on any changes in their condition is essential. This frequency allows for timely identification of any deterioration or improvement in the patient's status, enabling appropriate medical interventions. Regular reassessment is part of the monitoring process to ensure that any subtle changes in vital signs or clinical presentation are detected early, which is critical in a trauma setting where a patient's condition can change rapidly.

The rationale behind this approach is grounded in the understanding that trauma patients can have dynamic physiological responses due to factors such as internal bleeding, head injuries, or the effects of pain and shock. By reassessing every 15 minutes, healthcare providers can effectively monitor these variables and adjust treatment protocols accordingly, ensuring optimal patient outcomes.

In contrast, options suggesting longer intervals, such as every 30 minutes or every hour, do not provide the necessary vigilance required in trauma care, where conditions can change significantly in a short period. A reassessment only at the end of the shift neglects the continuous need for monitoring during a patient's care, which could lead to delays in critical interventions.