TRIAGE

Question 1

LIFE OVER LIMB?

Answer 1

DUH

Question 2

What are the different triage levels and colors starting with most critical?

Answer 2

Level 1 (critical blue)

Level 2 (emergent red)

Level 3 (urgent yellow)

Level 4 (non-urgent pink)

Level 5 (routine green)

Question 3

Describe triage level 1 (critical blue).

Answer 3

immediate nurse and physician assessment - possible resuscitation

cardiac and respiratory arrest
major trauma
active seizure
shock
status asthmaticus
unresponsive overdose

Question 4

Describe triage level 2 (emergent red).

Answer 4

emergent potential threat to life, limb, or function

nurse assessment immediate
physician assessment <15 minutes

decreased LOC
severe respiratory distress
chest pain with cardiac suspicion
conscious overdose
stroke symptoms
several abdominal pain
GI bleed, abnormal vitals
chemical exposure to eye
suicidal

Question 5

Describe triage level 3 (urgent yellow).

Answer 5

condition with significant distress

nurse assess <20 minutes
physician <30 minutes

head injury without decreased LOC, vomiting present

mild to moderate respiratory distress

GI bleed not actively bleeding

acute psychosis

abdominal pain

Question 6

Describe triage level 4 (non-urgent pink).

Answer 6

Conditions with mild to moderate discomfort

nurse assess < 1hour
Physician assess <1 hour

head injury, alert, no vomiting
lacerations that need sutured
ankle sprains
coughing/wheezing

Question 7

Describe triage level 5 (routine green).

Answer 7

Treatment can be delayed

no distress, could be seen at doctors office or urgent care

nurse and physician assessment over 2 hours

sore throat
minor injuries (temp <39)
cold symptoms

Question 8

What are the first things to look at with rapid triage?

Answer 8

Airway and breathing

Are they breathing
Yes - > 30 RED
no, reposition and recheck… no - BLACK

radial pulse
STRONG - continue assessment
WEAK - elevate feet, control bleeding - RED
NONE - BLACK

mental status
follow commands? - YES - green or yellow… NO - RED

Question 9

Describe the four colors of rapid triage.

Answer 9

green - will LIVE no matter what is done

yellow - MAY DIE if not eventually treated

red - WILL DIE if immediate intervention not performed

black - WILL DIE NO MATTER WHAT is done