In MCI triage, which criterion is associated with DELAYED?

• A. Breathing with a Pulse
• B. Responsive to Painful Stimuli
• C. Patient is walking
• D. Pulseless

Answer: (B)

In mass-casualty triage, how a patient responds to stimuli helps gauge urgency. Those who can walk are the least urgent (green). If a patient is not fully alert but still responds to stimulation, they are not in immediate danger of dying without care, so they’re categorized as delayed (yellow). This means their injuries need attention, but they can wait behind those with life-threatening conditions. Responding only to painful stimuli shows reduced consciousness yet preserved responsiveness, which fits the delayed category best. Walking implies minor injuries (green), pulseless indicates death (black), and simply breathing with a pulse doesn’t by itself define delayed without considering mental status.