KPSC Staff Nurse - 2018
Medical Surgical Nursing
Easy

As per the triage system, green color code refers to?

Appeared in: KPSC Staff Nurse - 2018

Explanation

  • The green color code signifies the 'Minor' or 'Walking Wounded' category in mass casualty triage.
  • These patients have minor injuries, such as small cuts, abrasions, or sprains.
  • Their condition is stable, and medical treatment can be safely delayed for several hours or even days without endangering their lives.
  • They are often the last group to be treated in a mass casualty scenario.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: This description refers to the Red (Immediate) category. These patients have life-threatening injuries but a high chance of survival if they receive immediate care.
  • Option C: This description refers to the Black (Expectant/Deceased) category. These patients have catastrophic injuries and are not expected to survive, even with medical intervention.
  • Option D: This description refers to the Yellow (Delayed) category. These patients have significant injuries that require medical attention, but their condition is stable enough to wait for a few hours.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Triage color coding system in mass casualty incidents as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • The primary goal of triage in a mass casualty incident is to allocate limited resources to save the maximum number of lives. It is a fundamental skill for emergency and disaster nursing.
  • Nurses are often on the front lines of triage, using rapid assessment skills (like the START method) to quickly categorize patients and direct them to appropriate care areas.
  • Patient status is dynamic. A patient initially tagged as Green must be periodically reassessed, as their condition could deteriorate (e.g., a minor head injury could evolve into a serious bleed), requiring an upgrade to Yellow or Red.
How to Approach the Question
  • This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of a standard protocol.
  • First, identify the core concept: the triage system and its color codes.
  • Focus on the specific keyword in the question: 'green color code'.
  • Mentally recall the four main triage categories: Red (Immediate), Yellow (Delayed), Green (Minor), and Black (Expectant).
  • Associate 'Green' with the 'walking wounded' or those with the least severe injuries.
  • Evaluate each option against this definition. Option B directly matches the description of the Green category, where treatment can be delayed for minor injuries.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Triage color coding system in mass casualty incidents.
  • Stem keywords: triage system, green color code
  • Lead-in keywords: refers to

Question ID

Qw_eUnQa5mMT2pzuegVLuP

Reference Book

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 585-587

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