North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

During an MCI, which patient condition is prioritized for immediate treatment?

1. Walking wounded

2. Patients in cardiac arrest

3. Patients with minor injuries

4. Patients with stable vital signs

The correct answer is: Patients in cardiac arrest

In a Multiple Casualty Incident (MCI), the priority for immediate treatment is given to patients in cardiac arrest due to the critical nature of their condition. Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency where the heart stops pumping blood effectively, leading to a rapid loss of consciousness and cessation of breathing. The chance of survival decreases significantly with each passing minute without effective resuscitation efforts. In an MCI scenario, the prioritization is guided by the concept of triage, where patients are assessed and categorized based on the severity of their conditions. Patients in cardiac arrest require immediate intervention, typically through cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation, to restore normal heart function and increase their chances of survival. In contrast, the other patient conditions listed, such as the walking wounded or those with minor injuries or stable vital signs, are considered less urgent since they do not pose an immediate threat to life. These patients can wait for treatment while more critical interventions are performed on those in immediate danger.