Mass casualty arrest triage — DipIMC MCQ

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ModerateResuscitationMass casualty arrest triageDipIMC

At a major incident, an adult casualty is apnoeic and pulseless. Airway opening does not restore breathing and there are multiple P1 casualties. What is the triage category?

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Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A — Dead / expectant under the incident plan

Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · A = shown as C · C = shown as D · D = shown as E

E is correct: During major incidents, triage prioritises limited resources; persistent apnoea after airway opening is not allocated immediate resuscitation under sieve principles. A is less suitable because P1 is reserved for immediate life-threatening physiology or intervention need; B is less suitable because P3 is for delayed casualties, usually walking or physiologically stable; C is less suitable because the patient has clinically significant illness or injury; D is less suitable because P2 is urgent but not the best category for the physiology described. The most tempting alternative is therefore suboptimal because it either delays the time-critical pre-hospital intervention or sends the patient to the wrong level of care. The key DipIMC principle is focused cABCDE decision-making with early pre-alert, triage or retrieval escalation when the scene physiology demands it.

Reference: Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines 2025; JRCALC Guidelines