In START triage, which finding assigns red tag regarding hemodynamic status?

In START triage, which finding assigns red tag regarding hemodynamic status?

• A. Strong radial pulses
• B. Pulses are bilaterally equal
• C. No radial pulse
• D. Normal capillary refill

Answer: (D)

In START triage, questions about hemodynamic status focus on perfusion—the body's blood flow to the extremities. You quickly check a distal pulse (usually the radial pulse) and look at capillary refill. A red tag is given when perfusion is severely compromised, which is most clearly indicated by the absence of a radial pulse (no distal pulse). That means the patient isn’t circulating blood to the extremities and needs immediate care. If there is a strong radial pulse, or the pulses are present and bilaterally equal, and capillary refill is normal (2 seconds or less), perfusion is considered adequate and the patient would not be assigned red based on circulation alone. Normal capillary refill, in particular, suggests adequate perfusion and would not indicate a red tag for hemodynamics.

In START triage, questions about hemodynamic status focus on perfusion—the body's blood flow to the extremities. You quickly check a distal pulse (usually the radial pulse) and look at capillary refill. A red tag is given when perfusion is severely compromised, which is most clearly indicated by the absence of a radial pulse (no distal pulse). That means the patient isn’t circulating blood to the extremities and needs immediate care.

If there is a strong radial pulse, or the pulses are present and bilaterally equal, and capillary refill is normal (2 seconds or less), perfusion is considered adequate and the patient would not be assigned red based on circulation alone. Normal capillary refill, in particular, suggests adequate perfusion and would not indicate a red tag for hemodynamics.