Question about triage and multiple amputations

[RN1298]

I can't find the answer to this anywhere, but I remember one of my teachers saying that NCLEX likes to trick you with triage questions involving kids, and the example she gave was a child with multiple amputations and what level they would be triaged into. Does anyone know specifically how many amputations (in a child or adult) is still considered surviveable in a triage situation? I know it's highly unlikely that I'll get a question on this one specific topic...but just in case, if anyone has an idea, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

I'm not aware of any mass casualty triage system that uses the number of amputations as a criterion to prioritize a patient. Look instead at the bigger picture. Start with the CABC's. How is the level of consciousness? Is there an airway problem or breathing difficulty? Signs of circulatory compromise?

Even if you did run into this specific item, it would likely be a scenario that asked you to choose the most emergent patient out of a group of patients. But you're still looking at each patient's signs of shock or distress, not the fact that Patient A lost two arms and Patient B lost one. Make sense?

[RN1298]

I think so, yes... Who knows, maybe I'll actually get a question on it :) Thank you very much!

[caliotter3]

I would go with Eric's explanation. I would think they would give you different situations with each patient, not have all of them with amputations, just like not all of them would have a sore throat. If you apply the ABCs to each patient, that is your best bet to sort them out.