During START triage, what is the focus of initial medical treatment?

• A. Full resuscitation for all patients
• B. Only life-threatening problems; airway and bleeding control
• C. Immediate CPR for all patients
• D. Evacuation planning only

Answer: (B)

In START triage, the emphasis is on quickly stabilizing patients who have life-threatening conditions. The initial medical treatment focuses on rapidly addressing airway and breathing problems and controlling major bleeding because these are the interventions that can be done quickly and have the biggest impact on survival in a mass-casualty situation. This approach ensures that scarce resources go to those who can benefit immediately, rather than attempting full resuscitation for everyone or prioritizing evacuation planning before basic life-saving care. After the life-threatening issues are addressed, broader decisions like evacuation and further care can follow.