What is the first step in patient care according to the General Principles?

• A. Begin treatment immediately without assessment
• B. Gather patient's family medical history
• C. Notify hospital prior to transport
• D. Assess the need for additional resources as soon as possible

Answer: (D)

The main idea tested here is how to prioritize actions and plan resources at the outset of patient care. In the General Principles, you want to identify what help and equipment are needed right away so you can deliver timely and appropriate care. Assessing the need for additional resources as soon as possible ensures you have the right personnel, tools, and transport options available, which helps prevent delays in treatment and supports safe stabilization and transfer.

Starting treatment without any assessment can lead to missing underlying problems or applying the wrong approach. Gathering a patient’s family medical history isn’t immediately useful for acute, first-step care. Notifying the hospital before transport is important, but it comes after you’ve determined what resources are needed and when transport will occur.