In MCI triage, which parameter is used to assess patient status?

• A. Respiration
• B. Blood pressure
• C. Temperature
• D. Hydration status

Answer: (A)

Respiration is the first and fastest indicator used to gauge a patient’s status in mass casualty triage. Breathing reflects whether the airway and basic lung function are adequate, which is critical for survival. In a rapid assessment, responders open the airway and see if the person begins to breathe; if not, the patient is identified as a higher priority or, in some protocols, as deceased unless immediate resuscitation could change the outcome. If the patient is breathing, the rate and effort help determine how urgently they need care, guiding the initial categorization before moving on to checks of circulation and mental status. Temperature and hydration status don’t provide the quick, reliable life-threat signal that breathing does in this setting, so they aren’t used to decide the immediate triage category.