During a mass casualty event, which client is the nurse's priority?

During a mass casualty event, which client is the nurse's priority?

• A. A client who received crush injuries to the chest and abdomen and is expected to die
• B. A client who has a 4-inch laceration to the head
• C. A client who has partial-thickness and full-thickness burns to his face, neck, and chest
• D. A client who has a fractured fibula and tibia

Answer: (C)

In mass casualty triage, securing the airway and ensuring adequate breathing comes first. Burns that involve the face, neck, and chest raise the risk of airway swelling and inhalation injury, which can rapidly compromise ventilation. This makes the client with such burns the highest priority because immediate airway management and oxygen can prevent a rapid deterioration and save a life. The other scenarios, while important, are less urgent for immediate life-saving intervention: a head injury with a manageable bleed and a leg fracture are not as likely to deteriorate in the very short term, and a crush injury to the chest and abdomen with an expected poor outcome is typically not given priority when resources are strained, since the chance of salvage is low.

In mass casualty triage, securing the airway and ensuring adequate breathing comes first. Burns that involve the face, neck, and chest raise the risk of airway swelling and inhalation injury, which can rapidly compromise ventilation. This makes the client with such burns the highest priority because immediate airway management and oxygen can prevent a rapid deterioration and save a life.

The other scenarios, while important, are less urgent for immediate life-saving intervention: a head injury with a manageable bleed and a leg fracture are not as likely to deteriorate in the very short term, and a crush injury to the chest and abdomen with an expected poor outcome is typically not given priority when resources are strained, since the chance of salvage is low.