Which factor helps determine if a patient can be left at the scene without transport?

• A. Weather conditions
• B. The patient’s preference
• C. Absence of illness or injury and no mechanism of injury
• D. By-stander request

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that a patient can be left at the scene without transport only when there is no illness or injury and no mechanism of injury to suggest potential problems. In practice, this means a quick, thorough assessment shows the patient is medically stable, with normal or acceptable vitals, intact mental status, and no signs of trauma or acute illness. If that's the case, and the patient understands and can care for themselves (and any decision to stay behind is consented to or appropriately documented if refusing transport), leaving them at the scene can be appropriate.

Weather conditions or requests from bystanders or the patient alone don’t establish safety for leaving them; those factors may affect safety or logistics but don’t substitute for a lack of medical need. Any indication of illness, injury, or MOI warrants transport and further evaluation.