Triage: Prioritizing Patients in Emergency Situations

Question 1

How does effective triage directly enhance patient well-being in emergency medical services?

Accepted Answer

Enables prompt treatment and minimizes complications

Answer

Optimizes resource allocation and reduces costs

Answer

Improves patient satisfaction and reduces complaints

Question 2

A patient with a gunshot wound to the chest and difficulty breathing should be assigned which triage category?

Accepted Answer

Red

Answer

Green

Answer

Black

Answer

Yellow

Question 3

Which of the following ethical principles may justify prioritizing younger patients in triage?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Equity

Answer

Autonomy

Question 4

What is the primary goal of triage in emergency medical services?

Accepted Answer

To rapidly evaluate patients and determine the urgency of their medical needs

Answer

To provide definitive medical treatment

Answer

To transport patients to the hospital

Question 5

Which of the following is an advantage of utilizing a triage system?

Accepted Answer

Improved patient survival rates

Answer

Enhanced staff satisfaction

Answer

Lower healthcare costs

Answer

Reduced patient wait times

Question 6

Which of the following factors should be excluded from consideration during triage?

Accepted Answer

Patient's socioeconomic status

Answer

Patient's injuries or symptoms

Answer

Patient's mental status

Answer

Patient's vital signs

Question 7

Who typically performs triage in the prehospital setting?

Accepted Answer

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or paramedics

Answer

Nurses

Answer

Hospital staff

Answer

Physicians

Question 8

What is the primary objective of triage in emergency medical services (EMS)?

Accepted Answer

To swiftly assess and prioritize patients based on the severity of their injuries or illnesses, ensuring timely and appropriate medical attention.

Answer

To transport patients to the nearest hospital.

Answer

To provide immediate medical treatment to all patients.

Question 9

Which triage system is predominantly utilized in emergency departments and hospitals?

Accepted Answer

Emergency Severity Index (ESI)

Answer

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

Answer

START Triage System

Answer

Triage and Treatment Scale (TTS)

Question 10

In the START triage system, what color tag is assigned to patients with life-threatening emergencies?

Accepted Answer

Red

Answer

Green

Answer

Yellow

Question 11

Which assessment tool is commonly used to evaluate a patient's level of consciousness?

Accepted Answer

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

Answer

Trauma Score Adapted (T-SA)

Answer

National Early Warning Score (NEWS)

Answer

Revised Trauma Score (RTS)

Question 12

Which principle is central to triage in mass casualty incidents?

Accepted Answer

Triage to destination

Answer

First-come, first-served

Answer

Treat all patients equally

Answer

Focus on the most visible injuries

Question 13

What is the primary function of triage tags?

Accepted Answer

To visibly identify and communicate a patient's triage category and priority level to healthcare providers.

Answer

To track patient demographics

Answer

To prevent duplicate treatments

Question 14

In START triage, which type of patient would typically be assigned a green triage tag?

Accepted Answer

Patients with minor injuries and stable vital signs

Answer

Patients with urgent medical conditions

Answer

Patients with life-threatening emergencies

Answer

Patients with delayed transport priority

Question 15

Which ethical consideration is associated with triage?

Accepted Answer

Balancing the needs of individual patients with the limited resources available

Answer

Ensuring patient privacy

Answer

Avoiding bias in decision-making

Question 16

What is the overarching purpose of triage in an emergency medical setting?

Accepted Answer

To rapidly assess patients and prioritize their treatment based on medical urgency

Answer

To transport patients to a medical facility as swiftly as possible

Answer

To provide immediate and comprehensive medical treatment to all patients on-site

Question 17

Within the context of triage, what color tag is commonly used to designate patients with urgent but non-life-threatening injuries?

Accepted Answer

Yellow

Answer

Red

Answer

Green

Answer

Black

Question 18

According to the CTAS system, which patient should be triaged as 'urgent'?

Accepted Answer

Patient experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, and a weak pulse

Answer

Patient with a broken leg that is not causing significant pain

Answer

Patient with a forehead laceration that is bleeding heavily

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental principle of triage?

Accepted Answer

Patients should be treated in the order of their arrival

Answer

Rapidly assessing patients to determine their triage category

Answer

Prioritizing patients based on the severity of their condition

Question 20

What is a significant ethical implication of triage in emergency medical services?

Accepted Answer

It requires medical professionals to make difficult decisions about allocating immediate care and potentially delaying care for others

Answer

It ensures equitable treatment for all patients regardless of their condition

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT a primary triage category in the START system?

Accepted Answer

Stable

Answer

Immediate

Answer

Delayed

Answer

Expectant

Question 22

A patient with multiple gunshot wounds, unstable vital signs, and a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 6 is categorized as:

Accepted Answer

Immediate

Answer

Delayed

Answer

Minor

Answer

Expectant

Question 23

Which of the following is NOT a vital sign used in the triage process?

Accepted Answer

Temperature

Answer

Respiration rate

Answer

Blood pressure

Answer

Heart rate

Question 24

The primary goal of triage is to:

Accepted Answer

Classify patients based on the urgency of their medical needs.

Answer

Treat patients at the scene of an emergency.

Answer

Transport patients to the appropriate medical facility.

Question 25

Which of the following is an ethical principle that should guide triage decisions?

Accepted Answer

Equity

Answer

Ability to pay

Answer

First-come, first-served

Answer

Social status

Question 26

What is the primary objective of triage in emergency situations?

Accepted Answer

To identify patients who require immediate life-saving interventions.

Answer

To transport patients to the nearest medical facility

Answer

To provide definitive treatment to all patients

Question 27

What is a major challenge associated with triage during mass casualty incidents?

Accepted Answer

Overwhelmed resources

Answer

Inadequate training

Answer

Uncooperative patients

Answer

Lack of communication

Question 28

A patient with a severe head injury and altered mental status would be triaged as:

Accepted Answer

Red

Answer

Black

Answer

Green

Answer

Yellow

Question 29

A common sign of hypovolemic shock is:

Accepted Answer

Pale, cool, and clammy skin

Answer

Rapid and bounding pulse

Answer

Warm and flushed skin

Answer

Elevated blood pressure

Question 30

The initial step in triage involves:

Accepted Answer

Ensuring scene safety

Answer

Controlling bleeding

Answer

Transporting patients

Answer

Assessing injuries

Question 31

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a tool used to assess a patient's:

Accepted Answer

Level of consciousness

Answer

Vital signs

Answer

Pain level

Answer

Pupillary response

Question 32

The primary goal of triage is to:

Accepted Answer

Prioritize patient care based on severity

Answer

Provide definitive treatment

Answer

Establish a scene safety perimeter

Answer

Transport patients to the hospital

Question 33

The primary triage officer is responsible for:

Accepted Answer

Managing and overseeing the triage area

Answer

Setting up triage stations

Answer

Transporting critical patients

Answer

Performing advanced medical procedures

Question 34

Which of the following is **NOT** a fundamental principle of triage?

Accepted Answer

Treating patients in the order they arrive, regardless of their condition

Answer

Categorizing patients based on their need for care

Answer

Prioritizing patients who require immediate medical intervention

Answer

Assessing the severity of injuries or illnesses

Question 35

A patient with a gunshot wound to the chest, experiencing difficulty breathing and low blood pressure, would likely be assigned which triage category?

Accepted Answer

Red (Immediate)

Answer

Yellow (Delayed)

Answer

Black (Expectant)

Answer

Green (Minor)

Question 36

Which of the following best describes a 'walking wounded' patient in a triage setting?

Accepted Answer

A patient with minor cuts and abrasions who can walk

Answer

A patient with a head injury who can walk

Answer

A patient with a broken leg who can't walk

Answer

A patient with chest pain who can walk

Question 37

When transporting multiple patients, which triage category should be prioritized first?

Accepted Answer

Red (Immediate)

Answer

Black (Expectant)

Answer

Yellow (Delayed)

Answer

Green (Minor)

Question 38

The primary goal of establishing a triage system in an emergency situation is to:

Accepted Answer

Ensure that patients receive appropriate and timely medical care

Answer

Reduce the number of patients needing medical attention

Answer

Optimize resource allocation

Answer

Prevent panic and chaos among patients

Question 39

What is the most appropriate triage category for a patient with a sprained ankle and no other injuries?

Accepted Answer

Green (Minor)

Answer

Yellow (Delayed)

Answer

Black (Expectant)

Answer

Red (Immediate)

Question 40

What is the main purpose of communication in the triage process?

Accepted Answer

To effectively convey patient information, triage decisions, and resource allocation

Answer

To ensure smooth patient flow

Answer

To reassure patients and their families

Answer

To document patient care

Question 41

Which of the following accurately describes triage in emergency medical services (EMS)?

Accepted Answer

Prioritizing patients based on the severity of their condition, allocating resources accordingly

Answer

Treating all patients equally, regardless of their condition

Answer

Transporting patients to the hospital in the order they arrive

Question 42

What is the primary function of a triage tag in EMS?

Accepted Answer

Communicating a patient's triage level and relevant information to other healthcare providers

Answer

Preventing patients from leaving the triage area

Answer

Documenting the patient's vital signs

Question 43

Which of the following patients would be classified as 'Immediate' triage based on the START triage protocol?

Accepted Answer

Patient with a severe head injury, unconscious, and difficulty breathing

Answer

Patient with a minor laceration, but no significant bleeding

Answer

Patient with a broken bone, but no open wounds

Answer

Patient with a fever and cough, but otherwise stable

Question 44

What is the initial step in the START triage protocol?

Accepted Answer

Check for responsiveness and breathing

Answer

Assess the patient's vital signs

Answer

Control bleeding

Answer

Determine the patient's mechanism of injury

Question 45

Which of the following is NOT a factor considered when prioritizing patients during triage?

Accepted Answer

Patient's personal preference or perceived social status

Answer

Patient's vital signs and overall condition

Answer

Patient's mental status

Answer

Patient's mechanism of injury

Question 46

What is the key distinction between 'Immediate' and 'Urgent' triage levels?

Accepted Answer

Immediate triage patients require immediate medical attention, while Urgent triage patients can wait for a moderate amount of time.

Answer

Urgent triage patients require immediate medical attention, while Immediate triage patients can wait for a moderate amount of time.

Question 47

Which of the following is a potential error during the triage process?

Accepted Answer

Over-triaging a patient, leading to unnecessary medical interventions

Answer

Under-triaging a patient, resulting in delayed or inadequate treatment

Answer

Failing to reassess patients as their condition changes

Question 48

What is the primary responsibility of a triage nurse?

Accepted Answer

Assessing patients, assigning triage levels, and initiating appropriate interventions within their scope of practice

Answer

Transporting patients to the hospital

Answer

Providing definitive medical treatment

Question 49

Which ethical principle guides triage decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Treating patients based on the severity of their condition, irrespective of personal characteristics or social factors

Answer

Prioritizing patients who are most likely to survive

Answer

Treating all patients equally, regardless of their condition

Question 50

A patient presents with a minor laceration on their arm, but no signs of active bleeding or other injuries. Based on the START triage protocol, which triage category should this patient be assigned?

Accepted Answer

Minor (Green)

Answer

Immediate (Red)

Answer

Delayed (Yellow)

Answer

Expectant (Black)

Question 51

During a mass casualty incident, what is the primary focus of the initial triage process?

Accepted Answer

Quickly assess and categorize patients based on their injuries and vital signs.

Answer

Provide immediate medical care to all injured individuals.

Answer

Transport all patients to the nearest hospital.

Question 52

A patient with a broken leg, but no signs of shock, would be categorized as which triage level?

Accepted Answer

Delayed (Yellow)

Answer

Minor (Green)

Answer

Immediate (Red)

Answer

Expectant (Black)

Question 53

Which element is NOT included in the START triage system?

Accepted Answer

Assessing patient history and allergies.

Answer

Assessing mental status.

Answer

Checking for a radial pulse.

Answer

Assessing respiratory rate and effort.

Question 54

A conscious patient with adequate breathing and a strong pulse, but a severe leg laceration, would be assigned which triage category?

Accepted Answer

Delayed (Yellow)

Answer

Minor (Green)

Answer

Expectant (Black)

Answer

Immediate (Red)

Question 55

What is the main purpose of triage in emergency situations?

Accepted Answer

To prioritize patients based on the severity of their injuries and their need for immediate medical attention.

Answer

To diagnose and treat patients in the field.

Question 56

You encounter a patient at a mass casualty incident who is unresponsive, not breathing, and has no pulse. Which triage category would you assign?

Accepted Answer

Expectant (Black)

Answer

Minor (Green)

Answer

Delayed (Yellow)

Answer

Immediate (Red)

Question 57

Which factor is NOT considered during the triage process?

Accepted Answer

Patient's insurance status.

Answer

Presence of a radial pulse.

Answer

Respiratory rate and effort.

Answer

Level of consciousness.

Question 58

What is crucial for efficient and effective triage during a mass casualty incident?

Accepted Answer

Clear communication and coordination among responders.

Answer

Individualized medical care for each patient.

Answer

Transporting all patients to the nearest hospital.

Question 59

A patient with a minor ankle sprain and no other injuries would be classified as which triage category?

Accepted Answer

Minor (Green)

Answer

Immediate (Red)

Answer

Delayed (Yellow)

Answer

Expectant (Black)