Burns triage environmental — DipIMC MCQ

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ModerateEnvironmental MedicineBurns triage environmentalDipIMC

At a campsite fire, an adult cannot walk, has circumferential chest burns and increasing breathlessness. What is the triage category?

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Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: D — P1 / immediate

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

B is correct: Airway or breathing compromise from burns is immediate priority. A 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; 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: JRCALC Guidelines; Resuscitation Council UK Special Circumstances; ATACC