What is typically the next step after assessing a patient's condition?

After assessing a patient's condition, monitoring for distress is a critical next step. This involves keeping a close eye on the patient to check for any changes in their vital signs or overall condition. By doing so, a responder can identify if the patient’s situation is deteriorating, which may require more immediate intervention or a change in the treatment plan. Continuous observation is essential, especially in a wilderness or remote setting where resources and help may be limited.

The other choices represent actions that may be important in specific situations, but they do not follow the assessment phase as directly as monitoring for distress. For instance, notifying family members may be necessary later, but it does not contribute to immediate patient care. Beginning CPR is only appropriate if the assessment reveals that the patient is unresponsive and not breathing. Moving the patient to a more comfortable location can also be beneficial but should not take priority over monitoring their condition, as the patient's stability is paramount.