A nurse is assisting with triage for group of clients following a mass casualty incident. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A) Check blood pressure for a client who is short of breath:
 In a mass casualty incident, triage prioritizes addressing life-threatening conditions first. While shortness of breath may indicate a serious problem, assessing blood pressure would not be the most immediate action. The nurse should focus on airway, breathing, and circulation (the ABCs) before checking vital signs like blood pressure, as these could indicate the need for more urgent interventions.
 
B) Identify arterial bleeding by the presence of dark red blood:
 Arterial bleeding is typically characterized by bright red blood that spurts or pulses with the heartbeat. Dark red blood is more indicative of venous bleeding. Recognizing arterial bleeding involves identifying the bright red, spurting blood, not dark red blood. It is essential to address major bleeding immediately by applying pressure or using a tourniquet as needed.
 
C) Open the airway of a client who has a cervical injury by using the jaw-thrust technique:
 In clients with potential cervical spine injuries, the jaw-thrust technique is the recommended method to open the airway, as it does not involve tilting the head and neck, which could exacerbate a cervical injury. Ensuring the airway is patent is a priority in triage, and the jaw-thrust maneuver minimizes the risk of further injury to the spine.
 
D) Request the assistance of another staff member to log roll a client:
 While log rolling is important for proper spinal alignment in clients with suspected spinal injuries, it is not the most urgent action during triage. In the context of a mass casualty incident, other immediate interventions, such as securing the airway and controlling bleeding, should take precedence before moving the patient unless the client’s condition requires repositioning to facilitate life-saving care.