The nurse is assisting the provider in performing triage of 30 patients after a mass casualty incident. The nurse observes the resident changing the triage tag for the unresponsive patient with an open skull fracture who is not breathing spontaneously from black to red and calls the EMT over to transport the patient to the hospital. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

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Remind the resident that limited resources must be reserved for patients who are likely to survive. The nurse should provide in-the-moment feedback to the resident about the importance of reserving scarce resources for patients who are likely to survive with care. The apneic patient with an open skull fracture is unlikely to survive, even with care. Waiting to debrief with the resident after all patients have been triaged leads to resources being diverted away from other patients who will survive if prompt medical treatment is received. Reporting the resident is not the most important initial action because other patients may be harmed before the report is submitted. Redirecting the EMT behind the provider&rsquo;s back does not address the resident&rsquo;s lack of adherence to triage protocol, which may continue and effect other patients if the nurse does not address it in the moment.

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