How should you prioritize care following a multi-casualty incident involving a lightning strike?

Prioritizing care by the severity of injuries is essential in a multi-casualty incident, such as one resulting from a lightning strike. In such situations, the goal is to maximize the number of survivors and efficiently allocate limited resources. Patients with life-threatening injuries—such as those experiencing cardiac arrest, severe respiratory distress, or significant neurological impairment—must receive immediate attention, while those with less severe injuries can be treated afterward.

The severity of injuries determines the immediate need for medical intervention. For example, a patient who is unresponsive and not breathing would require immediate resuscitation efforts, while someone with minor burns or a concussion could safely wait for treatment without immediate risk to their life.

In the context of the other options, age, complaints, and responsiveness are factors to consider but should not take precedence over the actual medical needs indicated by the severity of injuries. While responsiveness can indicate a patient's condition, it alone may not fully capture the seriousness of their injuries, thereby emphasizing why severity is a more critical criterion for prioritization in emergency care.