In a primary assessment, what must be done for a life-threatening injury?

In a primary assessment, addressing life-threatening injuries is critical for the patient's survival. Immediate treatment is necessary for injuries that pose an immediate risk to life, such as significant bleeding, compromised airway, or severe respiratory distress. This approach prioritizes stabilizing the patient's condition right away, ensuring that any critical problems are managed before proceeding with further assessments or interventions.

Monitoring vital signs, while important, does not address pressing needs directly, and providing a secondary assessment should come after life threats have been managed. Documenting the injury is essential for record-keeping but takes place after treatment has been rendered. Therefore, the primary goal is to treat life-threatening issues without delay. This priority aligns with the fundamental principles of emergency care, focusing on saving lives first and addressing other factors afterwards.