Walking wounded major incident — DipIMC MCQ

Correct answer: E — P3 / delayed

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

E is correct: Walking casualties are initially categorised delayed unless subsequent assessment finds a higher-risk feature. A is less suitable because the patient has clinically significant illness or injury; 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 P1 is reserved for immediate life-threatening physiology or intervention need. 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