How much time does a nurse have before needing to begin treatment for a client tagged with a green tag during a mass casualty incident?

In the context of a mass casualty incident, patients are triaged using a system that prioritizes care based on the severity of their injuries. A green tag indicates that the individual has minor injuries that are not life-threatening, allowing them to wait for treatment without an immediate risk to their health. Generally, the time frame for beginning treatment for those tagged with green is more flexible compared to those with more severe tags such as red for immediate treatment.

The correct response indicates that there is a window of three hours for treating a patient with a green tag. This timeframe reflects the understanding that while their condition is stable, it is still important to provide treatment in a reasonable period to prevent deterioration and to ensure that they do not develop complications.

This understanding is rooted in the principles of triage and resource management during a mass casualty situation, where it is critical to manage time and resources effectively while ensuring that those in immediate danger receive prompt care. Therefore, the three-hour window allows for an adequate assessment of resources and prioritization of more critical patients without compromising the care of those who are tagged with minor injuries.