North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

Which assessment is performed after checking respirations in the START Triage process?

1. Checking mental status

2. Assessing pulse

3. Conducting a skin check

4. Asking the patient to walk

The correct answer is: Assessing pulse

In the START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) triage process, after checking the respirations, the next critical step is to assess the patient's pulse. This is important because evaluating the pulse helps determine the patient's perfusion status, which is vital in identifying life-threatening conditions. The pulse assessment allows responders to categorize the patient’s triage status based on the presence and quality of their circulation. Evaluating respiration first helps in identifying immediate life threats, but understanding circulation through pulse assessment further refines the urgency of care needed. With this information, triage personnel can make informed decisions about which patients require immediate transport to a hospital versus those that can wait for treatment. Conducting a skin check and checking mental status are also important assessments in the triage process but follow the assessment of pulse in the logical sequence that ensures the most critical conditions are identified and treated first. Asking a patient to walk is generally used to assess mobility but applies to different triage scenarios and is not part of this immediate sequence in assessing life-threatening conditions.