According to the START triage system, which patient should be triaged as an immediate priority?

In the START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) triage system, patients are categorized based on the severity of their condition and the urgency of their medical needs. The aim is to quickly identify those who require immediate medical attention.

The patient described in the selected answer is unresponsive and has a respiratory rate of 34 breaths per minute. In the context of triage, an unresponsive individual demonstrates a significant compromise in overall neurological status, indicating a critical condition requiring rapid intervention. A high respiratory rate, particularly when coupled with unresponsiveness, suggests potential respiratory distress or failure, which is a life-threatening situation.

Immediate priority in triage is generally given to patients who are unable to protect their airway, exhibit respiratory distress, or show signs of shock or severe trauma. In this case, the combination of unresponsiveness and elevated respiratory rate categorizes this patient as a high priority, as their ability to maintain effective ventilation and oxygenation is severely compromised.

The other options represent less acute scenarios, which, while they may require medical attention, do not meet the critical thresholds set by the START system for immediate intervention. The responsive patient with a normal respiratory rate is stable, as are those with minor injuries or elevated pulse rates but who remain conscious and