Apnoea after airway opening — DipIMC MCQ

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

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

E is correct: In triage sieve, persistent apnoea after airway opening is categorised as dead or expectant according to the incident plan. A is less suitable because P2 is urgent but not the best category for the physiology described; B is less suitable because P1 is reserved for immediate life-threatening physiology or intervention need; C is less suitable because the patient has clinically significant illness or injury; D 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; NICE Major Trauma NG39; ATACC