North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a step in the START Triage method?

1. Assess mental status

2. Check for broken bones

3. Open the airway if necessary

4. Assess respirations

The correct answer is: Check for broken bones

In the START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) Triage method, the primary goal is to quickly assess and categorize patients based on the severity of their conditions to prioritize medical treatment. Each step in this system is designed to ensure that patients who need immediate care receive it as swiftly as possible. Assessing mental status is a crucial part of the START triage process, as it helps determine the patient's neurological status and ability to follow simple commands, which directly impacts their priority for treatment. Checking respirations is also a vital step; the presence or absence of adequate breaths can indicate the patient's need for immediate intervention. Opening the airway if necessary is a critical intervention for patients who are not breathing adequately because it can restore airflow and potentially save a life. In contrast, checking for broken bones is not a step in the START Triage method. This assessment is more specific and does not impact the immediate classification of the patient’s condition in the context of urgent interventions required at the scene. START focuses on rapid assessments of life-threatening conditions rather than detailed examinations of musculoskeletal injuries.