Examkin

Question

Difficulty: EasyEmergency Response Plan

A community health nurse is deployed to a field triage station following a structural collapse at a local stadium. The nurse assesses a victim who is unable to walk, has a respiratory rate of 36 breaths/min, and has a strong radial pulse. Based on the START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) method, which triage category should the nurse assign to this victim?

  1. Immediate (Red tag)Answer
  2. B
    Delayed (Yellow tag)
  3. C
    Minimal (Green tag)
  4. D
    Expectant (Black tag)

Answer

Immediate (Red tag)
According to the START triage algorithm, any victim with a respiratory rate greater than 30 breaths per minute is immediately classified as having a life-threatening compromise. Therefore, this client requires an Immediate (Red) tag.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine if the victim can walk.
The victim is unable to walk, so they are not categorized as Minimal (Green tag).
This is the first step of the START triage algorithm to identify the 'walking wounded'.
2
Assess the victim's respiratory rate.
The respiratory rate is 36 breaths/min.
In the START algorithm, after ruling out walking wounded, respirations are assessed. A rate over 30 breaths/min indicates an immediate life threat.
3
Assign the appropriate triage tag based on the findings.
The victim is categorized as Immediate (Red tag).
A respiratory rate greater than 30 breaths/min is an automatic criteria for a Red tag, regardless of pulse or mental status.

Key Concept

Disaster Triage (START Method)
Rate this question

Topics

Emergency Response Plan

More questions from this topic