In the case of a 6-car crash, which victim should the nurse attend to first?

In a mass casualty situation like a 6-car crash, prioritization is essential for effective triage. The victim experiencing dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, is the first choice because respiratory distress is a critical condition that can quickly lead to life-threatening complications. When a patient struggles to breathe, it can indicate an obstructed airway, pneumothorax, or other serious injuries affecting the respiratory system. Immediate intervention is necessary to ensure adequate oxygenation and prevent respiratory failure.

While confusion, tachycardia, and intense pain are also significant symptoms and may indicate serious conditions, they do not pose the same immediate life threat as compromised breathing. Confusion could result from neurological injury or decreased oxygenation but would not require the same level of urgent intervention as dyspnea. Tachycardia can stem from various causes, including pain or shock, but without accompanying respiratory distress, it is generally less urgent. Intense pain is critical to address for patient comfort and can indicate serious injuries, but it is not life-threatening in the immediate sense compared to respiratory issues. Thus, prioritizing the victim with dyspnea is aligned with the principles of emergency care and triage, focusing on the most life-threatening conditions first.