What is triage?

• A. The process of selecting patients for care based on age
• B. Sorting patients by the availability of beds
• C. The process of sorting patients based on the severity of their condition
• D. Deciding which patient to transport first based on distance

Answer: (C)

Triage is the process of sorting patients by how severe their condition is to decide the order in which they receive medical care. In emergencies with limited resources, the goal is to prioritize those who need urgent treatment and are most likely to benefit, so the overall number of lives saved is maximized. This focus on medical urgency and outcome distinguishes triage from other decisions.

Why this option fits best: it describes sorting by the severity of the condition, which directly drives who gets attention and resources first.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: choosing patients by age or making decisions based on bed availability addresses factors not tied to immediate medical need, and deciding transport order by distance is a logistical consideration rather than a clinical prioritization.