Disaster Management Practice Questions

Q: In the context of triage, what does the color black signify?

Deceased. **Explanation:** Triage is the process of prioritizing patients based on the severity of their condition and the likelihood of survival when resources are limited. In disaster management, the standard international color-coding system is used to categorize victims. **Correct Answer: C. Deceased** The color **Black** is assigned to victims who are either already dead or have injuries so catastrophic that they are unlikely to survive even with intensive care. In a mass casualty incident (MCI), resources are diverted away from these individuals to those who have a higher chance of survival. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **A. High priority:** This corresponds to **Red (Immediate)**. These patients have life-threatening injuries (e.g., airway obstruction, tension pneumothorax) but can be saved if treated immediately. * **B. Transfer:** This is not a standard triage category. However, **Yellow (Delayed)** patients are stable enough to wait for a short period before transfer or definitive surgery. * **D. Low priority:** This corresponds to **Green (Minor)**. These are the "walking wounded" who have minor injuries and require minimal care. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Mnemonic (R-Y-G-B):** Red (Immediate), Yellow (Delayed), Green (Minor), Black (Dead/Moribund). * **START Protocol:** The most common triage algorithm is **Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment**. It assesses three parameters: **Respiration, Perfusion, and Mental Status (RPM)**. * **Triage Tag:** A waterproof tag attached to the victim (usually the wrist or ankle) to communicate their status to subsequent medical teams. * **Reverse Triage:** In military or specific combat situations, those with minor injuries are treated first to return them to duty quickly; however, in civilian disasters, the most critically ill (Red) are prioritized.

Q: In a disaster situation, how many color codes are typically used for triage?

None of the above. **Explanation:** In disaster management, the standard international triage system utilizes **four** distinct color codes to prioritize patients based on the severity of their injuries and their chance of survival. Since the options provided (1, 2, and 3) do not include the number 4, "None of the above" is the correct choice. **The Four Color Codes of Triage:** 1. **Red (Immediate):** High priority; life-threatening injuries that are treatable (e.g., airway obstruction, tension pneumothorax). 2. **Yellow (Delayed):** Medium priority; serious but not immediately life-threatening (e.g., stable fractures, large wounds without heavy bleeding). 3. **Green (Minor):** Low priority; "walking wounded" with minor injuries. 4. **Black (Dead/Moribund):** Deceased or those with injuries so severe they are unlikely to survive even with care (e.g., cardiac arrest, massive head trauma). **Why other options are incorrect:** * **Options A, B, and C** are incorrect because a single, double, or triple-color system would fail to adequately differentiate between the critical categories of "Immediate" vs. "Delayed" care, or "Minor" vs. "Expectant" (dead) status, which is essential for reducing mortality in mass casualty incidents. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Triage Tag:** The tag is usually tied to the **left wrist** or ankle. * **START Protocol:** Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment is the most common algorithm used, focusing on **RPM** (Respiration, Perfusion, and Mental Status). * **Blue Code:** Some systems use Blue for "Expectant" (critically ill but still alive), but for NEET-PG purposes, the standard is the **four-color system** (Red, Yellow, Green, Black). * **Reverse Triage:** Used in military or specific resource-poor settings where those with minor injuries are treated first to return them to duty/help others.

Q: Which of the following is NOT considered a natural disaster?

Accidental radioactive gas leak from a factory. **Explanation:** Disasters are broadly classified into two categories based on their origin: **Natural** and **Man-made**. **Why Option D is Correct:** An **accidental radioactive gas leak** (such as the Chernobyl disaster or the Bhopal Gas Tragedy) is classified as a **Man-made (Anthropogenic) Disaster**. These are caused by human error, technological failure, or industrial accidents. In the context of Community Medicine, these are often termed "Technological Disasters" and require specific protocols like the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) emergencies. **Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **A, B, and C (Floods, Tornado, Lightning strike):** These are all **Natural Disasters** resulting from meteorological, hydrological, or geological forces of nature. While lightning strikes are often localized, they are categorized under meteorological natural hazards. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Triage:** The most critical step in disaster management. Remember the color coding: * **Red:** High priority (Immediate/Life-threatening). * **Yellow:** Medium priority (Urgent/Stable for now). * **Green:** Low priority (Ambulatory/Walking wounded). * **Black:** Dead or moribund. * **Disaster Cycle:** Mitigation $\rightarrow$ Preparedness $\rightarrow$ Response $\rightarrow$ Recovery. * **Epidemiology:** In the immediate aftermath of most natural disasters (except floods), the risk of major communicable disease outbreaks is initially low but increases during the "Recovery" phase due to crowding and poor sanitation. * **Most Common Disaster in India:** Floods.

Question 1

In the context of triage, what does the color black signify?

Accepted Answer

Deceased

Answer

High priority

Answer

Transfer

Answer

Low priority

Question 2

During a massive disaster, what should be done first?

Accepted Answer

Search and rescue, first aid

Answer

Hospital treatment and redistribution of patients to hospital if necessary

Answer

Triage

Answer

Stabilization of victims

Question 3

In a disaster situation, how many color codes are typically used for triage?

Accepted Answer

None of the above

Answer

1

Answer

2

Answer

3

Question 4

During disaster management, what does the green triage tag signify?

Accepted Answer

Ambulatory patients with minor injuries

Answer

Deceased individuals

Answer

Patients requiring moderate priority treatment

Answer

Patients requiring the highest priority treatment

Question 5

The disaster cycle progresses from which two stages?

Accepted Answer

Rehabilitation - Reconstruction

Answer

Mitigation - Reconstruction

Answer

Mitigation - Response

Answer

Rehabilitation - Response

Question 6

What is the definition of triage?

Accepted Answer

Categorization of patients and treating them according to available resources

Answer

Treating the most serious cases

Answer

Cautery burns

Answer

Treating mentally ill patients

Question 7

What is the recommended residual chlorine level in water after a disaster like a flood?

Accepted Answer

0.7 mg/litre

Answer

1.5 mg/litre

Answer

2 mg/litre

Answer

3 mg/litre

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT considered a natural disaster?

Accepted Answer

Accidental radioactive gas leak from a factory

Answer

Floods

Answer

Tornado

Answer

Lightning strike

Question 9

Following a disaster such as an earthquake, which vaccine does the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend?

Accepted Answer

None of the above

Answer

Typhoid

Answer

Cholera

Answer

Tetanus

Question 10

In the post-disaster phase, which of the following vaccines is not mandatory for doctors?

Accepted Answer

Measles

Answer

Cholera

Answer

Typhoid

Answer

Tetanus

Disaster Management — MCQs

Disaster Management — MCQs

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