In mass casualty incident triage, which color tag denotes the lowest priority (possible deceased or expectant)?

• A. Red
• B. Green
• C. Yellow
• D. Black

Answer: (D)

In mass casualty triage, color tags quickly communicate who needs attention first. The tag that denotes the lowest priority is used for those who are dead or whose survival is not expected given the current conditions and available resources. This Black designation signals that immediate life-saving efforts are unlikely to change the outcome, so responders can reallocate care to those with a reasonable chance of benefit. The other colors indicate higher urgency: Red for immediate threats requiring rapid intervention, Yellow for injuries that are serious but can be delayed briefly, and Green for minor injuries who can wait longer or assist others. This system helps maximize the number of lives saved when resources are limited.