Triage and Mass Casualty Incidents Flashcards
7 cards from real ITLS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Triage and Mass Casualty Incidents flashcards as text
During secondary triage at the treatment area in a MCI, rescuers should:
Answer: Reassess patients and upgrade or downgrade triage categories as conditions change
Secondary triage allows reassessment of patients at the treatment area, as conditions can change and initial triage categories may need to be updated.
In a MCI involving a hazardous material release, EMS personnel should:
Answer: Stage in the cold zone and wait for patient decontamination before treatment
EMS personnel should not enter a contaminated zone without proper HAZMAT training and PPE; patients must be decontaminated first to prevent secondary contamination of rescuers.
In the START algorithm, if an apneic adult patient does not begin breathing after airway repositioning, the rescuer should:
Answer: Tag the patient expectant and move to assess the next patient
In START triage (for adults), an apneic patient who does not breathe after a single airway opening maneuver is tagged expectant, as CPR is not initiated during active MCI triage.
The 'expectant' triage category is most appropriately applied when:
Answer: Resources are overwhelmed and a patient's survival probability is extremely low even with treatment
The expectant category is reserved for patients with unsurvivable injuries when resources are limited, reflecting the MCI principle of doing the most good for the most patients.
Which statement best describes the core ethical principle guiding triage decisions during a mass casualty incident?
Answer: Do the most good for the greatest number of patients with available resources
MCI triage is governed by the utilitarian principle of doing the most good for the greatest number of patients with the limited resources available.
During the treatment phase of a MCI, how should available medical resources be allocated among patients?
Answer: Allocate resources based on patient triage category, prioritizing immediate patients
Resources should be allocated based on triage priority, directing the most personnel and supplies toward immediate patients while minor patients may self-treat or wait.
When should an incident commander request mutual aid during a mass casualty incident?
Answer: Early in the incident when the scope appears to exceed local capability
Mutual aid should be requested early in a MCI because response times mean additional resources must be mobilized well before the incident reaches its peak demand.