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Burns triage — DipIMC MCQ

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ModerateMajor IncidentsBurns triageDipIMC

A 37-year-old cannot walk after a tent fire. He has facial burns, hoarse voice and respiratory rate 30. What is the triage category?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: DP1 / immediate

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

E is correct: Airway threat and respiratory abnormality after burns are immediate priority. A is less suitable because P3 is for delayed casualties, usually walking or physiologically stable; B is less suitable because P2 is urgent but not the best category for the physiology described; C is less suitable because the stem does not describe persistent apnoea or injuries incompatible with life; D is less suitable because the patient has clinically significant illness or injury. 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: MIMMS; JESIP Joint Doctrine; JRCALC Major Incidents