In a multi-injury scenario, what is the purpose of triage and how is priority assigned?

• A. To identify life-threatening injuries first (ABC priority), then limb-threatening, then non-life-threatening; follow EMS guidelines.
• B. To check the fastest runner first
• C. Random priorities
• D. Decide who pays first

Answer: (A)

Triage aims to save the most lives by quickly sorting victims based on how urgently they need care. In a multi-injury scenario, you start with the airway, then breathing, then circulation—the ABC order—because a compromised airway or breathing failure can rapidly become fatal, and uncontrolled bleeding can lead to shock even if there are other injuries. Identifying and treating life-threatening problems first ensures that those who are most at risk receive attention before less urgent cases.

After addressing any immediate airway, breathing, or circulation issues, you move on to injuries that are limb-threatening or could become life-threatening if not treated soon, followed by injuries that are non-life-threatening. This sequence follows standard EMS guidelines to keep the most urgent problems from deteriorating and to use resources efficiently.

The other options don’t fit the goal of triage. Checking the fastest runner, or assigning priorities randomly, or deciding who pays first have no basis in medical urgency and could delay critical care.