Which assessment is conducted after the primary assessment?

The secondary assessment is conducted after the primary assessment because it serves to gather more detailed information about the patient's condition. During the primary assessment, the focus is on identifying and treating immediate life-threatening issues, such as airway obstruction, breathing difficulties, and circulation problems. Once the primary assessment is complete and any urgent interventions are initiated, the secondary assessment takes over to evaluate the patient's overall condition more thoroughly.

The secondary assessment includes gathering a patient history, conducting a physical examination, and getting vital signs when appropriate. It aims to uncover additional problems that may not have been immediately life-threatening but still require attention. This step is crucial for forming a complete understanding of the child's health status and guiding further management and treatment.

The other options mentioned, while relevant in different contexts, do not specifically align with the structured progression of the assessment process that PALS emphasizes. The initial examination may occur in various healthcare settings, vital signs measurement is often part of both primary and secondary assessments but is not a standalone assessment, and final evaluation typically refers to the concluding part of assessment and response rather than a specific assessment phase. Therefore, the secondary assessment is the most appropriate term for the assessment conducted after the primary assessment.