Sustained abnormal vital signs are categorized under which PDP section?

• A. Section E
• B. Section B
• C. Section A
• D. Section C

Answer: (A)

Sustained abnormal vital signs indicate ongoing instability that requires ongoing monitoring and likely transport to an emergency department. That persistent distress across multiple checks shows the patient isn’t safely managed on scene and needs higher level of care, which is why it belongs in the section designated for unstable or deteriorating patients. A single abnormal reading can be transient, but when vitals remain outside the normal range for a defined period or across repeated assessments, the risk remains and escalation is warranted. The other PDP sections are meant for scenarios with stable or less urgent conditions or for non-transport decisions, so they don’t fit when vitals stay persistently abnormal.