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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Disaster nursing practice questions: triage and mass-casualty quiz

Quick, free emergency nursing quiz to check triage and MCI basics. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Brookeanne GalloUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art nurse next to ambulance and helicopter over clouds on sky blue for nclex emergency disaster nursing quiz

This disaster nursing quiz helps you practice triage decisions, mass-casualty roles, and preparedness steps for the NCLEX, with quick feedback so you can learn fast. Build related skills in the patient assessment quiz for nurses, review burn care with the rule of nines quiz, and refresh core concepts in the fundamentals of nursing quiz.

In the START triage system used in mass casualty incidents, what does the acronym START represent?
Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment
Systematic Triage and Rapid Transport
Standard Treatment and Response Time
Structured Triage and Rescue Tactics
The START system is designed for quick assessment of victims in mass casualty events. It stands for Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment, enabling first responders to categorize patients rapidly. This method focuses on breathing, circulation, and mental status to prioritize care. .
In mass casualty triage, which color tag indicates immediate priority for treatment?
Red
Green
Yellow
Black
In color-coded triage, red-tagged patients require immediate intervention to survive. Yellow indicates delayed, green denotes minor injuries, and black signals deceased or expectant patients. This standardized system helps allocate limited resources efficiently during disasters. .
During the primary survey of a disaster victim, what does the "A" in the ABC mnemonic stand for?
Abdomen
Airway
Alertness
Assessment
The primary survey prioritizes Airway, Breathing, and Circulation in that order. Ensuring a patent airway is the first critical step to prevent hypoxia. If the airway is compromised, breathing and circulation cannot be effectively managed. .
Which organizational structure is activated to manage resources and coordination during a large-scale emergency?
Triage Unit
Rapid Response Team
Incident Command System
Chain of Command
The Incident Command System (ICS) provides a standardized hierarchy for emergency response and resource management. It establishes clear roles, responsibilities, and communication channels. ICS is scalable and adaptable to incidents of any size. .
What is the first step in decontaminating a patient exposed to a chemical agent?
Begin IV fluids
Neutralize with chemicals
Administer antidote
Remove contaminated clothing
Removing contaminated clothing immediately reduces ongoing exposure to harmful agents. Clothing can retain up to 90% of the contaminant. After disrobing, thorough washing follows in a controlled environment. .
Which zone in a decontamination area is designated for patients who have been decontaminated and are awaiting treatment?
Hot Zone
Warm Zone
Clean Zone
Cold Zone
The Cold Zone is the safe area where patients stay after decontamination and before entering medical treatment areas. The Hot Zone contains active contamination, and the Warm Zone is where decontamination occurs. Proper zoning prevents cross-contamination. .
According to FEMA, which of the following is NOT one of the five mission areas of the National Preparedness Goal?
Mitigation
Planning
Response
Recovery
FEMA's five mission areas are Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery. While planning is vital, it is not listed as a separate mission area. Understanding these distinctions helps align preparedness efforts. .
In mass casualty triage, which patient would most likely be tagged "Delayed" (yellow)?
A patient with minor abrasions and alert
A patient with a stable fracture and no respiratory compromise
A patient with uncontrolled hemorrhage
An unresponsive patient with no pulse
Delayed (yellow) tags are for patients whose treatment can be safely postponed without immediate threat to life. A stable fracture without airway or breathing issues fits this category. Immediate (red) is for life-threatening conditions, and minor (green) is for walking wounded. .
A nurse suspects a biological attack with inhalational anthrax exposure. Which clinical finding would most likely be observed on chest imaging?
Diffuse pulmonary infiltrates
Widened mediastinum
Ground-glass opacities
Pleural effusion only
Inhalational anthrax often presents with a widened mediastinum on chest x-ray due to hemorrhagic mediastinitis. This finding helps distinguish it from other inhalational threats. Early recognition guides urgent antibiotic therapy. .
Surge capacity in disaster planning refers to the healthcare system's ability to:
Expand beyond normal operations to meet increased demand
Limit patient admissions to preserve resources
Stockpile pharmaceuticals for future use
Maintain regular staffing levels during peacetime
Surge capacity is the ability to rapidly expand services to meet sudden increases in patient volume. It encompasses staff, space, and supplies beyond daily operations. Effective surge planning reduces mortality during disasters. .
Which psychosocial intervention is most appropriate for disaster survivors in the immediate aftermath?
Psychological first aid
Group psychotherapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Critical incident stress debriefing
Psychological first aid (PFA) is an evidence-informed approach for immediate support after disasters. It focuses on safety, comfort, and connecting survivors with resources. More intensive therapies are introduced later if needed. .
In the Incident Command System, what is the recommended optimal span of control for supervisors?
One supervisor to eight subordinates
One supervisor to ten subordinates
One supervisor to two subordinates
One supervisor to five subordinates
ICS guidelines recommend a span of control of one supervisor to five subordinates, with a practical range of 3 to 7 subordinates. This ratio ensures effective supervision and communication. Exceeding this range can overwhelm supervisors. .
During a cholera outbreak in a refugee camp of 200 people, 50 cases were identified. What is the attack rate?
20%
75%
50%
25%
Attack rate is calculated by dividing new cases by the population at risk and multiplying by 100. Here, 50 ÷ 200 × 100 equals a 25% attack rate. This measure helps track outbreak severity. .
Which component of a Hospital Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) specifically addresses surge support and resource acquisition?
Triage and patient tracking
Communications
Incident management
Logistics and supply chain management
The logistics and supply chain management section of the EOP details procurement, distribution, and allocation of resources during a surge. It ensures necessary equipment, medications, and staff support are available. Robust logistics planning prevents critical shortages. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Apply Triage Protocols -

    Demonstrate accurate categorization of patient acuity using standard triage systems in high-pressure emergency and disaster nursing scenarios.

  2. Analyze Mass Casualty Scenarios -

    Assess and prioritize care needs during mass casualty incidents by interpreting scenario details and allocating limited resources.

  3. Identify Disaster Preparedness Strategies -

    Recognize essential components of disaster planning and response, including communication, resource mobilization, and safety protocols.

  4. Evaluate Priority Interventions -

    Determine the most critical nursing interventions for diverse emergency situations to optimize patient outcomes.

  5. Differentiate Nursing Roles in Disasters -

    Distinguish between the responsibilities and functions of nursing personnel across various disaster phases and settings.

  6. Prepare for NCLEX Emergency Nursing Questions -

    Enhance test-taking skills by practicing exam-style disaster nursing questions and reviewing explanations to build confidence for NCLEX readiness.

Cheat Sheet

  1. START Triage Algorithm & RPM Mnemonic -

    Practice using the START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) triage algorithm by assessing Respirations, Perfusion, and Mental status (RPM) to categorize victims as immediate (red), delayed (yellow), minimal (green), or expectant (black). For example, a patient breathing >30 breaths/min is tagged red, reinforcing this concept in your emergency and disaster nursing quiz prep.

  2. Incident Command System (ICS) Structure -

    Master the Incident Command System's hierarchy and roles - Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration - to coordinate multi-agency disaster response efficiently. Recall the "COPLANS" mnemonic and apply it in scenario-based questions during your disaster nursing NCLEX prep to streamline leadership functions.

  3. Surge Capacity & the Three S's -

    Understand surge capacity by expanding Staff, Stuff, and Space (the "Three S's") during mass casualty events to manage a sudden influx of patients. Use the Three S's mnemonic in your NCLEX emergency nursing quiz review to ensure rapid resource assessment and allocation under crisis standards of care.

  4. Decontamination Levels & PPE -

    Familiarize yourself with decontamination levels A through D and corresponding personal protective equipment (PPE) ensembles to safely process chemically or biologically contaminated victims. In emergency nursing practice test scenarios, identify the correct suit type - for instance, Level A's fully encapsulating suit - when responding to hazardous materials incidents.

  5. Psychological First Aid Steps -

    Learn the key Psychological First Aid interventions: Establish Rapport, Soothe Distress, and Facilitate Connection, summarized by the mnemonic "EAR" to support survivors' emotional needs post-disaster. Incorporate this framework into disaster nursing questions by explaining how to quickly assess and address acute stress reactions.

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