In START triage, which criterion qualifies a patient as red priority?

In START triage, which criterion qualifies a patient as red priority?

• A. Respirations over 30
• B. Capillary refill under 2 seconds
• C. Able to follow simple commands
• D. Comfortable at rest

Answer: (A)

START triage uses a rapid check of breathing, perfusion, and mental status to sort patients by urgency. If a patient is breathing more than 30 times per minute, that signals serious breathing distress and potential rapid deterioration, so they are labeled as immediate (red). This fast breathing threshold is the key red flag because it directly points to the need for urgent intervention to secure the airway and oxygenation. Capillary refill under 2 seconds indicates adequate perfusion, so it does not by itself make someone red. Being able to follow simple commands suggests they’re not in immediate danger but still require attention (yellow). Being comfortable at rest points to less urgent status (green).

START triage uses a rapid check of breathing, perfusion, and mental status to sort patients by urgency. If a patient is breathing more than 30 times per minute, that signals serious breathing distress and potential rapid deterioration, so they are labeled as immediate (red). This fast breathing threshold is the key red flag because it directly points to the need for urgent intervention to secure the airway and oxygenation.

Capillary refill under 2 seconds indicates adequate perfusion, so it does not by itself make someone red. Being able to follow simple commands suggests they’re not in immediate danger but still require attention (yellow). Being comfortable at rest points to less urgent status (green).