Disaster triage START is designed to do what?

• A. To do the greatest good for the greatest number, in the shortest time
• B. To save as many as possible regardless of time
• C. To allocate resources equally
• D. To maximize patient comfort

Answer: (A)

The main goal of START triage is to save the greatest number of people in the shortest amount of time by quickly sorting patients so those who can benefit most from immediate care receive attention first, given the limited resources in a disaster. In mass casualty situations, you can’t treat everyone right away, so the emphasis is on rapid decisions that maximize lives saved overall. This is why the best answer highlights doing the greatest good for the greatest number in the shortest time. Other options miss the essential focus on prioritizing rapid, life-saving interventions over equal distribution or comfort, which isn’t the aim when resources are scarce and time is critical.