EFMB Triage & Mass Casualty Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the most accurate definition of a mass casualty incident (MASCAL)?
- 3 or more casualties from a single event
- 5 or more casualties requiring hospitalization
- 10 or more casualties on the battlefield
- A situation where casualties exceed available medical resources (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A situation where casualties exceed available medical resources
A MASCAL is defined by the relationship between casualties and resources — it occurs whenever the number of patients overwhelms available medical support, regardless of absolute numbers.
Question 2: In the Army's 4-tier triage system, what does 'T2 — Delayed' indicate?
- The patient needs treatment within minutes to survive
- The patient's condition is stable enough that treatment can be safely delayed (Correct answer)
- The patient has no realistic chance of survival
- The patient has only superficial injuries
Correct answer: The patient's condition is stable enough that treatment can be safely delayed
T2 (Delayed/Yellow) patients have serious but stable injuries; delaying their treatment temporarily does not place them at immediate risk of death.
Question 3: Which guiding principle governs resource allocation during a mass casualty triage event?
- Treat the most critical patient first regardless of resource cost
- Do the greatest good for the greatest number of patients (Correct answer)
- Prioritize officers and senior NCOs
- Treat only patients with clearly survivable wounds
Correct answer: Do the greatest good for the greatest number of patients
Mass casualty triage is guided by the utilitarian principle of doing the greatest good for the greatest number by allocating limited resources to maximize overall survival.
Question 4: What is the PRIMARY purpose of triage tags in a mass casualty incident?
- To document the patient's full medical history
- To communicate triage category and initial treatment to subsequent providers (Correct answer)
- To identify soldiers by rank and unit assignment
- To request specific medications from medical supply
Correct answer: To communicate triage category and initial treatment to subsequent providers
Triage tags serve as the communication link across the evacuation chain, conveying triage category, identified injuries, and interventions already performed.
Question 5: During a MASCAL, who is responsible for establishing and running the triage area when no physician is present?
- The unit commander
- The senior medical officer or medic on scene (Correct answer)
- The battalion surgeon
- The brigade surgeon
Correct answer: The senior medical officer or medic on scene
The senior medical officer or medic on scene assumes triage authority until relieved by a higher-ranking medical professional.
Question 6: What is the correct order of the three phases of care in Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC)?
- Tactical Field Care → Care Under Fire → TACEVAC
- Care Under Fire → Tactical Field Care → TACEVAC (Correct answer)
- TACEVAC → Tactical Field Care → Care Under Fire
- Care Under Fire → TACEVAC → Tactical Field Care
Correct answer: Care Under Fire → Tactical Field Care → TACEVAC
TCCC phases progress from Care Under Fire (active threat) to Tactical Field Care (threat suppressed) to TACEVAC (during evacuation to definitive care).
Question 7: How frequently should casualties be re-triaged during an ongoing mass casualty event?
- Every 30 minutes on a fixed schedule
- Every hour on a fixed schedule
- Only when a visible change in condition occurs
- Continuously, based on changing patient conditions and available resources (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Continuously, based on changing patient conditions and available resources
Triage is a dynamic process; patient conditions change rapidly, so continuous reassessment ensures resources are directed to those with the best current chance of survival.
EFMB Triage & Mass Casualty Management 2
What is the most accurate definition of a mass casualty incident (MASCAL)?