Emergency Triage and Disaster Care

Mass-casualty triage is rapid sorting by immediate physiologic need when the number of patients exceeds available resources. It is not a complete diagnosis. The triage category identifies who needs lifesaving attention first: Red means immediate, Yellow delayed, Green minor or minimal, and Black expectant. The algorithm matters because each system uses its own sequence and thresholds. In adult START triage, walking patients are Green; patients who cannot walk are then assessed for respirations, perfusion, and mental status. JumpSTART modifies this approach for children younger than 8 years. SALT uses a rapid primary assessment and lifesaving interventions before assigning a category. Use the system designated by the incident rather than blending criteria from different systems. For an LVN/LPN, the actual assignment is controlled by state law, facility policy, disaster-plan training, and incident command. On the NCLEX-PN, the scope-safe response is to follow the assigned protocol, collect and communicate the findings that determine the tag, perform permitted lifesaving measures, and promptly seek RN or provider direction when a patient is unstable or the action exceeds assigned authority.