What does RPM stand for in START triage?

• A. Respiratory Rate, Perfusion, Mental Status
• B. Respiratory Rate, Pulse, Mobility
• C. Respiratory Rate, Pulse, Mental Status
• D. Respiratory Rate, Perfusion, Temperature

Answer: (A)

In START triage, rapid decision-making rests on three quick checks to determine who needs immediate care. RPM stands for Respiratory Rate, Perfusion, Mental Status. Start by checking breathing after opening the airway: if the person isn’t breathing, they’re not a candidate for immediate life-saving care unless a pulse is present; if they start breathing, count the breaths. If the rate is greater than about 30 per minute, that signals a high risk and prompts immediate attention.

Next, assess perfusion. Check for a palpable pulse or look at capillary refill. Poor perfusion—such as no pulse or a capillary refill that is slow—indicates a higher priority needs. If perfusion is adequate, move on to mental status.

Finally, evaluate mental status by asking the person to follow simple commands. Inability to follow commands suggests a more urgent need for treatment, whereas the ability to follow commands with good perfusion points to a lower immediate risk.

So RPM is Respiratory Rate, Perfusion, Mental Status—the three quick indicators used to triage efficiently in START.