ITLS Triage and Mass Casualty Incidents

Question 1

In the START triage system, what is the first action taken upon arriving at a multiple-casualty scene?

Accepted Answer

Direct patients who can walk to move to a designated area

Answer

START triage begins by directing ambulatory patients to walk to a designated area, quickly categorizing them as 'minor' and freeing rescuers to assess more critical patients.

Question 2

According to START triage, a patient with a respiratory rate greater than 30 breaths per minute should be tagged:

Accepted Answer

Immediate (red)

Answer

In START triage, a respiratory rate above 30/min indicates a critical patient who requires immediate intervention and is tagged red.

Question 3

In START triage, which finding would result in an 'immediate' (red) tag based on circulatory assessment?

Accepted Answer

Absent radial pulse

Answer

An absent radial pulse indicates poor perfusion consistent with shock, classifying the patient as immediate (red) in START triage.

Question 4

What color tag is used for 'expectant' patients in the standard triage color system?

Accepted Answer

Black

Answer

Black tags indicate expectant patients — those whose injuries are so severe that survival is unlikely even with treatment, or who are already deceased.

Question 5

SALT triage stands for:

Accepted Answer

Sort, Assess, Life-saving interventions, Treatment/transport

Answer

SALT stands for Sort, Assess, Life-saving interventions, Treatment/transport — an evidence-based MCI triage system endorsed for use in the US.

ITLS - International Trauma Life Support Practice Test

ITLS - International Trauma Life Support Practice Test

ITLS Triage and Mass Casualty Incidents