Free BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Question

The correct answer is 'Green'. In mass casualty triage systems, such as START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment), patients are categorized into four color-coded groups based on the severity of their condition and need for immediate treatment. The color green is used for patients with minor injuries who can walk and whose treatment can be delayed. These patients are also sometimes referred to as the 'walking wounded'.

Red is used for patients requiring immediate treatment (critical), yellow for those whose treatment can be delayed (serious but stable), and black for those who are deceased or have injuries incompatible with life. Understanding this color-coding system is crucial for emergency nurses to efficiently prioritize patient care during mass casualty events, ensuring that limited resources are allocated effectively to save the most lives possible.