Triage

Sample Solution

   

Full Answer Section

        The MCI triage philosophy is a more complex system of triage that is used by first responders to prioritize patients during a large-scale disaster. It takes into account a number of factors, including the severity of the patient's injuries, the availability of resources, and the patient's prognosis. The MCI triage philosophy divides patients into four categories:

• Red: Patients with immediately life-threatening injuries who need immediate medical attention.
• Yellow: Patients with delayed-life-threatening injuries who need medical attention but can wait.
• Green: Patients with minor injuries who can wait for medical attention.
• Black: Patients with fatal injuries or who are so severely injured that they are unlikely to survive, even with medical treatment.

Categorizing patients using the MCI triage philosophy If I were the triage nurse during an MCI, I would categorize the following patients as follows:

• 10-year-old boy with massive head injury, no spontaneous breathing, BP 60 palp: Red
• 22-year-old female with a close fracture of the left arm: Yellow
• 60-year-old male with a laceration in the leg complaining of shortness of breath: Yellow
• 15-year-old girl with glass embedded in the eyes: Yellow
• 52-year-old male with a pulse of 30 and a blood pressure of 70/30: Red

The 10-year-old boy with the massive head injury is a clear red patient. He has a life-threatening injury and needs immediate medical attention. The 22-year-old female with the close fracture of the left arm is a yellow patient. Her injury is not immediately life-threatening, but she will need medical attention to prevent further complications. The 60-year-old male with the laceration in the leg complaining of shortness of breath is a yellow patient. His laceration is not immediately life-threatening, but his shortness of breath may be a sign of a more serious medical condition. The 15-year-old girl with glass embedded in the eyes is a yellow patient. Her injury is not immediately life-threatening, but she will need medical attention to remove the glass and prevent infection. The 52-year-old male with a pulse of 30 and a blood pressure of 70/30 is a red patient. He is in shock and needs immediate medical attention to stabilize his vital signs. Ethical issues One of the most difficult aspects of triage is making decisions about who gets treated first when there are more patients than resources. Triage nurses must use their judgment to prioritize patients in a way that maximizes the number of lives saved. There are a number of ethical issues that should be considered when triaging patients during an MCI. One issue is the principle of fairness. Triage nurses should strive to treat patients fairly, regardless of their age, race, gender, or social status. Another issue is the principle of utility. Triage nurses should try to maximize the number of lives saved. This may mean that some patients with serious injuries will not receive treatment, even if they could be saved with the right resources. Finally, triage nurses must consider the ethical implications of their decisions. For example, triage nurses should not abandon patients who are likely to die, even if they are not a priority. Conclusion Triage is a difficult and challenging task, but it is essential for saving lives during an MCI. Triage nurses must use their judgment to prioritize patients in a way that maximizes the number of lives saved and considers the ethical implications of their decisions.