Which of the following is included in the secondary assessment?

The secondary assessment is a critical phase of patient evaluation that focuses on conducting a detailed physical examination after an initial assessment has been performed. This involves systematically assessing the patient's body and checking for potential injuries or medical conditions that may not be immediately obvious. The physical examination can include checking vital signs, examining specific body areas, and noting any significant findings that will inform treatment and transport decisions.

While medical history is important as it provides context for the patient's condition and helps guide treatment, it is considered part of the initial assessment or history-taking phase rather than the secondary assessment itself. Initial impressions focus on the general appearance and condition of the patient at the start of the call and pre-emptive thoughts on their care, which is also outside the scope of the secondary assessment. Emergency transport decisions are made based on the overall evaluation and findings but occur after the secondary assessment is completed. Thus, the detailed physical examination is the correct answer as it is a fundamental component of the secondary assessment process.