TCRN Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep for Your Test

The START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) method is a widely used system for quickly assessing and prioritizing casualties in emergency situations. This method allows first responders to determine the immediacy of a patient's needs based on their respiratory status, circulatory status (which includes pulse), and mental status. These three components are crucial as they help categorize victims into different triage levels such as immediate (red tag), delayed (yellow tag), or minor (green tag).

Respiration is assessed by observing whether the patient is breathing and the adequacy of their breathing. If a patient is not breathing, the rescuer may attempt to reposition the airway or provide rescue breathing. If the patient starts breathing again, they are classified as immediate.

Pulse is an important indicator of circulatory status. A rapid pulse may indicate shock, necessitating immediate attention. If a pulse is absent, the patient is categorized in the immediate group if lifesaving interventions can be applied.

Mental status is evaluated through responsiveness to verbal stimuli or simple commands. A patient who cannot respond may be considered in critical condition and therefore categorized as immediate if they do not indicate any ability to follow directions.

The inclusion of all three components—respiration, pulse, and mental status—in the START method ensures