Chemical vapour walking casualty — DipIMC MCQ

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ModerateEnvironmental MedicineChemical vapour walking casualtyDipIMC

After a chlorine leak, an adult walks to the cold zone coughing with eye irritation. Respiratory rate is 20/min and pulse 92/min after decontamination. What is the triage category?

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Correct answer: E — Priority 3 (green)

Option E is correct because A walking casualty with stable physiology after decontamination is initially Priority 3, with observation for deterioration. Option C is less appropriate because Priority 1 is reserved for immediate life-saving needs or severe physiological compromise; option A is less appropriate because Priority 2 is for serious injury without immediate life-saving criteria. Option B is less appropriate because expectant triage is used in exceptional resource-limited circumstances; option D is less appropriate because the stem does not meet criteria for death assignment. Clinical pearl: in DipIMC-style questions, the best answer is the intervention that changes outcome earliest in the pre-hospital phase.

Reference: MIMMS; NHS Major Incident Triage Tool