During transport with an estimated arrival of 20 minutes, you should:

During transport with an estimated arrival of 20 minutes, you should:

• A. Reassess his condition in 15 minutes
• B. Do nothing
• C. Reassess his condition in 5 minutes
• D. Call hospital to speed transport

Answer: (C)

Ongoing monitoring with short reassessment intervals is essential during transport. Even with an estimated 20 minutes to arrival, a patient can change status quickly due to the stresses of movement, evolving symptoms, or the progression of their condition. Reassessing every few minutes, such as in 5-minute intervals, allows you to detect early deterioration, adjust management (airway, breathing, circulation), and ensure the patient remains stable before arriving at the hospital. Waiting longer, like 15 minutes, risks missing a rapid change; doing nothing ignores the need for continuous assessment; and calling the hospital to speed transport isn’t the primary action for a patient who needs close monitoring—unless directed to change the plan based on a new assessment.

Ongoing monitoring with short reassessment intervals is essential during transport. Even with an estimated 20 minutes to arrival, a patient can change status quickly due to the stresses of movement, evolving symptoms, or the progression of their condition. Reassessing every few minutes, such as in 5-minute intervals, allows you to detect early deterioration, adjust management (airway, breathing, circulation), and ensure the patient remains stable before arriving at the hospital. Waiting longer, like 15 minutes, risks missing a rapid change; doing nothing ignores the need for continuous assessment; and calling the hospital to speed transport isn’t the primary action for a patient who needs close monitoring—unless directed to change the plan based on a new assessment.