TL;DR
Learn mass casualty triage systems and incident management principles. MCI response requires rapid decision-making under pressure and is tested on the NREMT EMT Certification.
Free Triage & MCI Practice Questions
NREMT EMT Certification · EMS Operations
This module covers Triage & MCI as part of the EMS Operations section, testing your understanding of core concepts and their practical application.
| Exam | NREMT EMT Certification |
| Pass Rate | 67% |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Module | Triage & MCI |
Why Triage & MCI matters
Triage & MCI is a commonly tested topic on the NREMT EMT Certification because it covers fundamental knowledge required for competent professional practice.
Sample Practice Questions (5)
1. At a mass casualty incident with 30 patients and only 4 ambulances available, a RED-tagged patient goes into cardiac arrest. Resources are fully committed to other RED patients. What is the MOST appropriate action under MCI triage principles?
- Retriage the patient to BLACK (expectant) — CPR on one patient in an MCI diverts resources from multiple salvageable patients
- Begin full CPR and commit two EMTs to this patient exclusively
- Transport this patient first since cardiac arrest is the most serious condition
- Ask bystanders to perform CPR while EMS focuses on other patients
2. Match each ICS (Incident Command System) section to its primary responsibility at an MCI:
- Operations Section
- Planning Section
- Logistics Section
- Finance/Administration Section
3. At a mass casualty incident, you are using START triage. A patient is breathing at 32 breaths per minute, has a radial pulse, but does not follow commands when asked to wave. Which of the following are correct about this patient? (Select all that apply)
- The respiratory rate is above 30, which is an abnormal finding in START triage
- The presence of a radial pulse indicates adequate perfusion
- Failure to follow commands classifies this patient as IMMEDIATE (red)
- This patient should be categorized as DELAYED (yellow)
- The patient fails the mental status check of START triage
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Start practicing free →4. At a mass casualty incident, place the patient transport priorities in the correct order (first transported to last):
- RED (Immediate) — life-threatening conditions requiring immediate intervention
- YELLOW (Delayed) — serious but not immediately life-threatening injuries
- GREEN (Minor) — walking wounded with minor injuries
- BLACK (Expectant) — dead or injuries incompatible with survival given available resources
5. You are the Triage Officer at an MCI. During JumpSTART triage (pediatric), you encounter a 6-year-old who is not breathing. After opening the airway, there is still no breathing. You give 5 rescue breaths. The child begins breathing. What category should this child receive?
- RED (Immediate)
- BLACK (Expectant)
- YELLOW (Delayed)
- GREEN (Minor)
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