During a mass casualty incident, which client should be assigned a delayed priority rather than immediate care?

In disaster triage, clients with stable vital signs and non-life-threatening injuries can usually wait for delayed care. Airway obstruction, uncontrolled arterial bleeding, and severe respiratory distress require immediate intervention. The goal is to do the greatest good for the greatest number.

In-depth explanation

<span class='merci-scenario-label'>Clinical Judgment</span><br>Mass casualty triage prioritizes survivable life threats first.<br><br><span class='merci-scenario-label'>Memory Tip</span><br>Stable fracture can wait.

Clinical scenario

<span class='merci-scenario-label'>Clinical Practice Guide</span><br>Disaster triage sorts clients by urgency, survival likelihood, and resource availability.<br><br><span class='merci-scenario-label'>Caution</span><br>Disaster triage differs from routine first-come care.

Key concepts

• Mass Casualty Incident — An event with more injured people than available resources can immediately manage.
• Delayed Priority — A triage category for serious but not immediately life-threatening conditions.
• Immediate Priority — A triage category for life-threatening but potentially survivable conditions.