MCI Triage Exam Questions with Correct Answers Latest Update 2025-2026
Triage - Answers French word meaning "sorting/picking." It is used to sort multiple victims into
four treatment categories.
Which Triage system is used the most? - Answers The "METTAG" system has been approved by
california association of fire chiefs (Cal Chiefs)
What other popular triage system is used locally - Answers The S.T.A.R.T System (developed in
Orange County - Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment)
When do you triage? - Answers 1. Victims are triaged by quick assessment into priority groups
(categories)
2. Triaged for treatment within each category
3. Triaged for transport
Category I - Answers Immediate (red) Patients who have a condition that may result in loss of
life or limb if not treated immediately.
Category II - Answers Delayed (yellow) patients who need prompt care, but will generally not risk
life or limb or be seriously impaired if left untreated for an hour or so.
Category III - Answers Minor (green) Patients who generally need evaluation or treatment, but
time is not a critical factor and they will not get worse if left untreated.
Simplistic terms as to why we triage - Answers This way we can quickly and effectively know
what kind of patients are present, what injuries need treatment, and which ones to transport in
what order.
30-2-Can do - Answers Simple saying used as a memory aid for what we used to rapidly triage
patients based on findings.
Respirations < 30
Capillary Refill < 2 seconds
Can follow commands
Category I (injuries) - Answers -Airway obstruction or respiratory insufficiency (above 30)
-Cardiac Arrest (only if no other category I's are present)
-Severe Bleeding (that is not immediately controllable)
, -Severe shock
-Severe Head injuries WITH DECREASED LOC (not following commands)
-Open Chest Wounds
-Severe Medical Problems
-Coma due to trauma (not following commands)
Category II (injuries) - Answers -Major or Multiple Fractures (without compromised pulses-
which can increase severity, or without open Fractures- Femur Fractures lose 1-4 pints and
Pelvic lose 1-6 pints of blood)
-Severe Burns (without complications such as Respiratory compromise)
-Back injuries, with or without spinal cord damage (neurological compromise increases severity)
-Abdominal Eviscerations (unless actively bleeding)
Category III (injuries) - Answers - Minor Fractures
- Minor Injuries (abrasions or other wounds)
- Obviously Dying ( be careful you are planning on leaving this one for dead)
Special considerations regarding triage of critical patients - Answers Often based on the
severity of the incident, there may come a time where a patient (who may be critical and in a
normal circumstance would be treated) may have to be categorized as green or black. This is
difficult especially in the case of pediatrics, but if there is multiple casualties, then the amount
of time it would take to treat the one would exhaust the resources available to treat/save other
patients. The exception to this rule is if all other patients based on assessment findings, can be
categorized as minor.
Category IV - Answers (Patients that are dead )
Policy # 814 EMTs/Paramedics may determine death based upon assessment findings that
confirm the absence of respiratory, cardiac, and neurological function.
Including ----
-Decapitation
-Massive crush injury
-Penetrating or blunt injury with evisceration of the heart, lung, or brains
Triage - Answers French word meaning "sorting/picking." It is used to sort multiple victims into
four treatment categories.
Which Triage system is used the most? - Answers The "METTAG" system has been approved by
california association of fire chiefs (Cal Chiefs)
What other popular triage system is used locally - Answers The S.T.A.R.T System (developed in
Orange County - Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment)
When do you triage? - Answers 1. Victims are triaged by quick assessment into priority groups
(categories)
2. Triaged for treatment within each category
3. Triaged for transport
Category I - Answers Immediate (red) Patients who have a condition that may result in loss of
life or limb if not treated immediately.
Category II - Answers Delayed (yellow) patients who need prompt care, but will generally not risk
life or limb or be seriously impaired if left untreated for an hour or so.
Category III - Answers Minor (green) Patients who generally need evaluation or treatment, but
time is not a critical factor and they will not get worse if left untreated.
Simplistic terms as to why we triage - Answers This way we can quickly and effectively know
what kind of patients are present, what injuries need treatment, and which ones to transport in
what order.
30-2-Can do - Answers Simple saying used as a memory aid for what we used to rapidly triage
patients based on findings.
Respirations < 30
Capillary Refill < 2 seconds
Can follow commands
Category I (injuries) - Answers -Airway obstruction or respiratory insufficiency (above 30)
-Cardiac Arrest (only if no other category I's are present)
-Severe Bleeding (that is not immediately controllable)
, -Severe shock
-Severe Head injuries WITH DECREASED LOC (not following commands)
-Open Chest Wounds
-Severe Medical Problems
-Coma due to trauma (not following commands)
Category II (injuries) - Answers -Major or Multiple Fractures (without compromised pulses-
which can increase severity, or without open Fractures- Femur Fractures lose 1-4 pints and
Pelvic lose 1-6 pints of blood)
-Severe Burns (without complications such as Respiratory compromise)
-Back injuries, with or without spinal cord damage (neurological compromise increases severity)
-Abdominal Eviscerations (unless actively bleeding)
Category III (injuries) - Answers - Minor Fractures
- Minor Injuries (abrasions or other wounds)
- Obviously Dying ( be careful you are planning on leaving this one for dead)
Special considerations regarding triage of critical patients - Answers Often based on the
severity of the incident, there may come a time where a patient (who may be critical and in a
normal circumstance would be treated) may have to be categorized as green or black. This is
difficult especially in the case of pediatrics, but if there is multiple casualties, then the amount
of time it would take to treat the one would exhaust the resources available to treat/save other
patients. The exception to this rule is if all other patients based on assessment findings, can be
categorized as minor.
Category IV - Answers (Patients that are dead )
Policy # 814 EMTs/Paramedics may determine death based upon assessment findings that
confirm the absence of respiratory, cardiac, and neurological function.
Including ----
-Decapitation
-Massive crush injury
-Penetrating or blunt injury with evisceration of the heart, lung, or brains
