North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

A Pink Tag is used in an MCI to indicate what?

1. Delayed treatment needed

2. A patient has superficial injuries

3. The patient is contaminated

4. The patient requires immediate assistance

The correct answer is: The patient is contaminated

In a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI), the Pink Tag indicates that the patient is contaminated. This tagging system is part of a triage protocol used by emergency responders to quickly assess and prioritize patients based on the severity of their injuries and their need for care. The colors signify different categories of urgency, and a Pink Tag specifically highlights patients who have been exposed to hazardous materials or who have a biological or chemical contamination that requires specialized care and decontamination before other treatments can proceed. Using this system effectively ensures that contaminated patients are identified and cared for promptly while maintaining the safety of both the patient and the healthcare providers involved in their treatment. In contrast, other tags might represent different statuses: for example, a Green Tag typically indicates a patient needing delayed treatment, while a Red Tag would denote a patient requiring immediate assistance. The clear distinction between these categories is critical in managing resources and providing effective care in high-stress situations like an MCI.