In a mass casualty triage scenario, which patient should be addressed second?

• A. Woman bleeding severely from a crushed right leg
• B. Man unresponsive, bleeding profusely
• C. Boy with a broken arm
• D. Girl with a small cut

Answer: (B)

In mass casualty triage, the goal is to save as many lives as possible by quickly identifying who needs immediate life-saving care and who can wait. The most time-sensitive issues are airway/breathing problems and massive hemorrhage, because death can occur within minutes if not treated right away.

An unresponsive patient who is bleeding profusely presents a near-certain threat to life unless rapid life-saving steps are taken (airway management and hemorrhage control). That level of urgency makes this patient a top priority, but after the very first critical action is started, this patient should be addressed next because without immediate intervention their survival is at the greatest risk. The other injuries—severe leg bleeding that can be controlled quickly with direct pressure or a tourniquet, a broken arm, or a small cut—are less immediately life-threatening and can wait a moment longer while the more unstable patient receives care.