A man walked to the staging area after an earthquake crying that he wa

A man walked to the staging area after an earthquake crying that he was hurt. A triage nurse noted he had cuts, abrasions, and an open (bone was seen) fractured arm. Which of the following actions should be taken next?

a. Put a green tag on his shirt and he can get in line to wait his turn for medical treatment
b. Put a yellow tag on his shirt and then await transport to a medical facility
c. Put a black tag on his shirt and give him a chair to rest in until something can be done
d. Put a green tag on his shirt and ask him to use his good arm to help others make it to the staging area

ESSAYBID ANSWER

ANS: B
Green on the triage tag is for the walking wounded or those with minor injuries (e.g., cuts and abrasions) who can wait several hours before they receive treatment; yellow is for those with systemic but not yet life-threatening complications, who can wait 45 to 60 minutes (e.g., simple fractures); red is considered top priority or immediate and is for those with life-threatening conditions but who can be stabilized and have a high probability of survival (e.g., amputations); and black is for the deceased or for those whose injuries are so extensive that nothing can be done to save them (e.g., multiple severe injuries).