North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

Which tag indicates a patient requires immediate care in an MCI?

1. Black Tag

2. Red Tag

3. Yellow Tag

4. Green Tag

The correct answer is: Red Tag

In a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI), triage is critical for determining the order in which patients should receive care. The red tag signifies that the patient requires immediate medical attention. This categorization is vital as it allows first responders to prioritize those with life-threatening injuries who are likely to survive if they receive rapid intervention. The use of a red tag typically applies to patients who might be experiencing severe conditions such as compromised airways, major bleeding, or signs of shock that necessitate urgent treatment. Recognizing these patients allows emergency personnel to manage their efforts efficiently, ensuring that limited resources are allocated to those who need it most at that moment. In contrast, the other tags serve different purposes: the black tag generally signifies deceased patients or those who have injuries so severe that survival is unlikely; the yellow tag indicates a patient who needs care but with injuries that are not immediately life-threatening; and the green tag is used for patients with minor injuries, indicating they can wait for care. This differentiation ensures a structured approach to patient management during overwhelming incidents.