Persistent apnoea — DipIMC MCQ
Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.
Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.
Reveal the answer and explanation
Correct answer: B — Dead / expectant under the incident plan
Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · A = shown as B · B = shown as D · D = shown as E
A is correct: Persistent apnoea after airway opening is categorised as dead or expectant depending on the incident plan. B is less suitable because P2 is urgent but not the best category for the physiology described; C is less suitable because the patient has clinically significant illness or injury; D is less suitable because P1 is reserved for immediate life-threatening physiology or intervention need; E is less suitable because P3 is for delayed casualties, usually walking or physiologically stable. 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