North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

What is a characteristic of a Priority 2 (Yellow Tag) patient in MCI?

1. Requires immediate medical attention

2. Has minimal or superficial injuries

3. Urgent condition but not immediately life-threatening

4. Is deceased or expected to die soon

The correct answer is: Urgent condition but not immediately life-threatening

A Priority 2 (Yellow Tag) patient in a mass casualty incident (MCI) is classified as someone with an urgent condition that is not immediately life-threatening. This means that while their injuries or medical conditions require prompt attention to prevent deterioration, they are stable enough that they can wait for care behind those classified as more critical (such as Priority 1 patients, who are in immediate danger). In an MCI, triage is crucial to ensure that those who need urgent care receive it efficiently, and Priority 2 patients are in a position where timely but not immediate treatment can yield positive outcomes. The other characteristics mentioned in the options are not applicable to Priority 2 patients. For instance, immediate medical attention is reserved for the most critical cases, minimal injuries correspond to a lower priority (Priority 3), and those who are deceased or expected to die shortly would fall under a different classification (Priority 1, usually marked for rapid acknowledgment of death or expected death). Understanding this hierarchy in patient categorization is vital for effective triage during emergency situations.