A casualty presenting with agonal respirations is triaged as what?

A casualty presenting with agonal respirations is triaged as expectant because agonal breathing indicates a severe level of distress and a critical state. In triage protocols, expectant patients are those who are unlikely to survive given the resources available, often due to critical injuries or conditions that cannot be promptly addressed. Agonal respirations are a sign of impending death, which suggests that the individual may not respond to life-saving interventions.

In a mass casualty situation, healthcare providers must prioritize care based on the likelihood of survival. Those classified as expectant typically require comfort measures rather than aggressive treatment. This categorization helps maximize resources for patients with a better chance of survival while ensuring that those who are critically injured receive appropriate, albeit limited, care as needed. This understanding is crucial in emergency response scenarios to effectively allocate medical resources.