Triage

Question 1

Triage principle

Answer 1

sorting of casualties based on acuity of injury and resultant required treatment
Usefulness in clinical practice lies in “grading” presenting complaints to determine best practice for management

Question 2

Minimal

Answer 2

can attend to other needs as well as treat primary condition
PT: treat presenting complaint but also refer

Question 3

Serious

Answer 3

requiring additional treatment before other needs or categories of patients attended to
PT: medical referral trumps PT rx
Levels: Urgent, immediate,, Delayed

Question 4

Expectant

Answer 4

“hopelessly wounded” futile to expend resources on treatment

PT: unable to benefit from PT rx

Question 5

Urgent

Answer 5

level of serious
life threatening injuries requiring resuscitation and a life saving procedure immediately on arrival
PT: life or limb threatening condition, escort client to emergency room
(shoulder pain turns out to be heart attack)

Question 6

Immediate

Answer 6

level of serious
serious condition requiring medical referral within 1-2 days
urgent care clinic referral

Question 7

delayed

Answer 7

level of serious

condition should be evaluated within a week or two by PCP

Question 8

Triage Alphabet

Answer 8

Airway
Breathing
Circulatory
Disability (Neurologic)
Extremities
rank order of importance