BCEN Triage Systems 2

Question 1

In the START triage system, a patient with a respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute is classified as:

Accepted Answer

Immediate (Red)

Answer

In START triage, a respiratory rate below 30 but present after repositioning the airway classifies the patient as Immediate (Red).

Question 2

Which triage system uses five levels and was developed specifically for emergency department use in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Emergency Severity Index (ESI)

Answer

The Emergency Severity Index (ESI) is a five-level triage tool developed in the US specifically for ED use, focusing on acuity and anticipated resource needs.

Question 3

A patient arrives after a mass casualty incident unable to follow commands, with a radial pulse absent but carotid pulse present. Using START triage, this patient is classified as:

Accepted Answer

Immediate (Red)

Answer

Absent radial pulse or capillary refill greater than 2 seconds in START triage indicates immediate (Red) category due to hemodynamic compromise.

Question 4

The ESI algorithm assigns level 2 to a patient who:

Accepted Answer

Is in a high-risk situation or has altered mental status or severe pain

Answer

ESI level 2 is assigned to patients in high-risk situations, those with altered mental status, or those with severe pain/distress who should not wait.

Question 5

During a mass casualty event, a patient who is breathing but has injuries so severe that survival is unlikely even with treatment is tagged:

Accepted Answer

Black

Answer

Black (Expectant) is assigned to patients with injuries incompatible with survival given available resources, including those who are already deceased.

(BCEN) Board of Certification of Emergency Nursing Practice Test

(BCEN) Board of Certification of Emergency Nursing Practice Test

BCEN Triage Systems 2