How often should a paramedic conduct ongoing exams for trauma patients?

The optimal frequency for conducting ongoing exams on trauma patients is crucial for their assessment and management. The correct answer highlights that paramedics should perform ongoing examinations every 5 minutes for unstable patients and every 15 minutes for stable patients.

Unstable patients, who may experience rapid deterioration due to factors such as significant blood loss or compromised vital signs, require close and continuous monitoring. The 5-minute interval allows paramedics to detect any changes in the patient's condition more quickly and take necessary actions to stabilize them.

Stable patients, on the other hand, are those whose vital signs and overall condition are not expected to change abruptly. Monitoring these patients every 15 minutes is adequate to ensure that they remain stable while allowing for more efficient use of resources.

This approach reflects a triage system that prioritizes care based on the patient's condition, allowing paramedics to allocate their attention appropriately and intervene swiftly when necessary, thereby improving patient outcomes during transport.