In START triage, which criterion identifies red priority?

In START triage, which criterion identifies red priority?

• A. Respirations over 30
• B. Capillary refill under 2 seconds
• C. Able to follow simple commands
• D. Unable to lie still

Answer: (A)

In START triage, the fastest way to identify who needs immediate care is to look at three quick signs: breathing, perfusion, and mental status. A respiratory rate greater than 30 breaths per minute signals life-threatening distress requiring immediate intervention, so that person is tagged as red. Quick, severe breathing problems mean they may need airway support or rapid ventilation right away, which is why this criterion marks red priority. Capillary refill under 2 seconds suggests good perfusion, so it doesn’t indicate a red priority. Being able to follow simple commands shows the person is responsive and not in immediate life-threatening distress, which points away from red and toward yellow or green depending on other signs. The phrase “unable to lie still” isn’t a standard START criterion for red priority, so it isn’t used to categorize someone as red.

In START triage, the fastest way to identify who needs immediate care is to look at three quick signs: breathing, perfusion, and mental status. A respiratory rate greater than 30 breaths per minute signals life-threatening distress requiring immediate intervention, so that person is tagged as red. Quick, severe breathing problems mean they may need airway support or rapid ventilation right away, which is why this criterion marks red priority.

Capillary refill under 2 seconds suggests good perfusion, so it doesn’t indicate a red priority. Being able to follow simple commands shows the person is responsive and not in immediate life-threatening distress, which points away from red and toward yellow or green depending on other signs. The phrase “unable to lie still” isn’t a standard START criterion for red priority, so it isn’t used to categorize someone as red.