1
NCLEX RN Exam Bank: Triage & Disaster Preparedness in
Acute Care Facilities
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Principles of Triage and Mass Casualty Prioritization ...................................... 2
Subtopic 2: Emergency Communication and Incident Command Systems in Acute Care . 12
Subtopic 3: Surge Capacity Management and Resource Allocation in Acute Disasters ..... 22
Subtopic 4: Decontamination and Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) Response in Acute Care
Settings ...................................................................................................................... 32
Subtopic 5: Psychological Support, Grief Management, and Compassionate Triage in
Disasters (Questions 81–100)....................................................................................... 42
Subtopic 6: Legal, Ethical, and Communication Challenges in Mass Casualty Triage ....... 49
Subtopic 7: Resource Allocation, Scarcity Ethics, and Crisis Standards of Care ............... 58
Subtopic 8: Infection Control, Quarantine, and Isolation in Disaster Events ..................... 66
Subtopic 9: Nursing Leadership Roles in Emergency Response Coordination .................. 74
Subtopic 10: Recovery, Continuity of Care & Evaluation Post-Disaster ............................ 82
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Subtopic 1: Principles of Triage and Mass Casualty
Prioritization
Question 1
During a mass casualty incident, which patient should the nurse tag as "red" (immediate
priority) using the START triage system?
A. 45-year-old with a compound fracture but normal breathing and pulse
B. 28-year-old with respiratory rate of 8 and no radial pulse
C. 60-year-old with abrasions and walking independently
D. 35-year-old with a sprained ankle and no other injuries
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the START triage system, a respiratory rate <10 or >30, absence of radial pulse,
or altered mental status indicates an immediate threat to life and warrants a "red" tag for
immediate attention.
Question 2
Which of the following best describes the goal of triage in disaster situations?
A. Provide emotional support to victims
B. Transport the most severely injured first
C. Do the greatest good for the greatest number
D. Maintain detailed medical records
Correct Answer: C
, 3
Rationale: Disaster triage prioritizes resource allocation to save the most lives possible,
focusing on those most likely to survive with immediate intervention.
Question 3
What action should the triage nurse take when a victim is unconscious, not breathing, and
does not respond after the airway is opened?
A. Assign a "yellow" tag
B. Assign a "black" tag
C. Begin CPR
D. Apply a tourniquet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In mass casualty incidents, a victim who is not breathing even after
repositioning the airway is considered deceased and tagged "black" (expectant).
Question 4
A nurse in a triage station evaluates a patient with minor lacerations and no functional
impairment. What is the appropriate tag color?
A. Green
B. Yellow
C. Red
D. Black
, 4
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Green-tagged individuals are “walking wounded” and have minor injuries that do
not require immediate care.
Question 5
Which of the following patients should be prioritized for care in a disaster triage situation?
A. 30-year-old with a dislocated shoulder
B. 10-year-old with a superficial burn
C. 22-year-old with a sucking chest wound and rapid breathing
D. 70-year-old with bruises and stable vital signs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Life-threatening injuries like a sucking chest wound require immediate
intervention, justifying a red tag assignment.
Question 6
What is the most appropriate initial action when arriving at a disaster scene with multiple
casualties?
A. Conduct a rapid assessment and categorize victims by priority
B. Begin CPR on the first unresponsive person
C. Set up an IV line on the most injured victim
D. Administer pain medication to those in distress
NCLEX RN Exam Bank: Triage & Disaster Preparedness in
Acute Care Facilities
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Principles of Triage and Mass Casualty Prioritization ...................................... 2
Subtopic 2: Emergency Communication and Incident Command Systems in Acute Care . 12
Subtopic 3: Surge Capacity Management and Resource Allocation in Acute Disasters ..... 22
Subtopic 4: Decontamination and Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) Response in Acute Care
Settings ...................................................................................................................... 32
Subtopic 5: Psychological Support, Grief Management, and Compassionate Triage in
Disasters (Questions 81–100)....................................................................................... 42
Subtopic 6: Legal, Ethical, and Communication Challenges in Mass Casualty Triage ....... 49
Subtopic 7: Resource Allocation, Scarcity Ethics, and Crisis Standards of Care ............... 58
Subtopic 8: Infection Control, Quarantine, and Isolation in Disaster Events ..................... 66
Subtopic 9: Nursing Leadership Roles in Emergency Response Coordination .................. 74
Subtopic 10: Recovery, Continuity of Care & Evaluation Post-Disaster ............................ 82
, 2
Subtopic 1: Principles of Triage and Mass Casualty
Prioritization
Question 1
During a mass casualty incident, which patient should the nurse tag as "red" (immediate
priority) using the START triage system?
A. 45-year-old with a compound fracture but normal breathing and pulse
B. 28-year-old with respiratory rate of 8 and no radial pulse
C. 60-year-old with abrasions and walking independently
D. 35-year-old with a sprained ankle and no other injuries
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the START triage system, a respiratory rate <10 or >30, absence of radial pulse,
or altered mental status indicates an immediate threat to life and warrants a "red" tag for
immediate attention.
Question 2
Which of the following best describes the goal of triage in disaster situations?
A. Provide emotional support to victims
B. Transport the most severely injured first
C. Do the greatest good for the greatest number
D. Maintain detailed medical records
Correct Answer: C
, 3
Rationale: Disaster triage prioritizes resource allocation to save the most lives possible,
focusing on those most likely to survive with immediate intervention.
Question 3
What action should the triage nurse take when a victim is unconscious, not breathing, and
does not respond after the airway is opened?
A. Assign a "yellow" tag
B. Assign a "black" tag
C. Begin CPR
D. Apply a tourniquet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In mass casualty incidents, a victim who is not breathing even after
repositioning the airway is considered deceased and tagged "black" (expectant).
Question 4
A nurse in a triage station evaluates a patient with minor lacerations and no functional
impairment. What is the appropriate tag color?
A. Green
B. Yellow
C. Red
D. Black
, 4
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Green-tagged individuals are “walking wounded” and have minor injuries that do
not require immediate care.
Question 5
Which of the following patients should be prioritized for care in a disaster triage situation?
A. 30-year-old with a dislocated shoulder
B. 10-year-old with a superficial burn
C. 22-year-old with a sucking chest wound and rapid breathing
D. 70-year-old with bruises and stable vital signs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Life-threatening injuries like a sucking chest wound require immediate
intervention, justifying a red tag assignment.
Question 6
What is the most appropriate initial action when arriving at a disaster scene with multiple
casualties?
A. Conduct a rapid assessment and categorize victims by priority
B. Begin CPR on the first unresponsive person
C. Set up an IV line on the most injured victim
D. Administer pain medication to those in distress
