During a mass casualty incident, which of the following patients would be considered high or red priority?

During a mass casualty incident, which of the following patients would be considered high or red priority?

• A. 12-year-old male with no pulse
• B. 35-year-old male with arm laceration
• C. 42-year-old female unresponsive to voice
• D. 61-year-old female unable to move her leg

Answer: (C)

In mass casualty triage, the most urgent category goes to those whose injuries are life-threatening but who can be saved with immediate intervention. The quick rule of thumb is to assess responsiveness and breathing first. If someone is unresponsive to voice but still breathing, they are placed in the red category because they require immediate attention to secure their airway or breathing and prevent rapid deterioration, yet they are not considered deceased and could survive with prompt care. In contrast, a patient with no pulse and no breathing after attempting to open the airway is tagged black, indicating a non-survivable condition in the field. A person with a minor arm laceration has non-life-threatening injuries, typically green or yellow. A patient who cannot move an leg but shows stable signs elsewhere may be delayed or considered non-immediate unless another critical issue is present. Therefore, the unresponsive but breathing patient is the high-priority red case because they represent a life-threatening condition that can still be saved with rapid intervention.

In mass casualty triage, the most urgent category goes to those whose injuries are life-threatening but who can be saved with immediate intervention. The quick rule of thumb is to assess responsiveness and breathing first. If someone is unresponsive to voice but still breathing, they are placed in the red category because they require immediate attention to secure their airway or breathing and prevent rapid deterioration, yet they are not considered deceased and could survive with prompt care.

In contrast, a patient with no pulse and no breathing after attempting to open the airway is tagged black, indicating a non-survivable condition in the field. A person with a minor arm laceration has non-life-threatening injuries, typically green or yellow. A patient who cannot move an leg but shows stable signs elsewhere may be delayed or considered non-immediate unless another critical issue is present. Therefore, the unresponsive but breathing patient is the high-priority red case because they represent a life-threatening condition that can still be saved with rapid intervention.