Question about priority pls help!

[Tinkerbell04]

Who would you see first in a triage or disaster? I understand the ABC and Maslow, but I have heard from some sources that, in triage, give priorty to the person who has the highest chance of surviving, is this correct? Someone please help. I can not find this anywhere else. Some books are not clear or do not go into detail on who would you see first in triage or a disaster. Thanks

[nursenelly1]

i think that in disaster triage (according to the military) you actually assess the unconcious patient first and begin rescusitation efforts before assessing concious patients. that makes most sense to me in nursing. how can you tell between concious patients who has the most chance of survival?? no one really knows that except for if you were maybe a doctor. well in the concious patient in disaster triage, just go with abcs. as far as nclex boards are concerned airway always comes first no matter what. if someone looks like they have an (airway) issue or respiratory distress issue (breathing), that comes before bleeding or (circulation). i only got a couple of questions like this asking me to choose a patient in a disaster or emergent setting and i just choose the patient with airway issues or silent airway issues such as burns to the face - this is a good example of a question trying to hide an silent airway issue - burns to the face = burns to the throat and lungs aswell and imminent respiratory distress - so choose this over bleeding. hope this helps!

[caliotter3]

I have heard that also but don't see how one could assess for internal injuries that would most likely be the determinant. I would stick with the ABCs and not put too much into this.

[Tinkerbell04]

Thanks you all so much.This really helped clear things up.