Which statement best defines a stable patient?

• A. A stable patient is not in any distress.
• B. A stable patient is always fully alert.
• C. Vital signs must be in the normal range or just slightly abnormal; any threat to ABC's rules out the stable category.
• D. Stable requires no monitoring.

Answer: (C)

In EMS, stability is about the risk of deterioration, reflected in the patient’s vital signs and the status of airway, breathing, and circulation. The best definition is that vital signs are in the normal range or only mildly abnormal for the situation, and there is no threat to the airway, breathing, or circulation. If there is any issue with airway, breathing, or circulation or if those systems are at risk of becoming compromised, the patient is not considered stable.

Stability does not mean the patient isn’t in any distress, must always be fully alert, or requires no monitoring. A patient can have distress or altered mental status yet still be stable if the ABCs are intact and vitals are acceptable, though they still require close monitoring. And even when stable, ongoing monitoring is essential to detect any changes.