In triage, which color tag indicates the patient may die soon?

• A. Red tag
• B. Yellow tag
• C. Green tag
• D. Black tag

Answer: (D)

In triage, color tags communicate who should receive attention first based on urgency and likelihood of benefit from treatment. The tag that signals death is imminent or that the patient is not expected to survive with the resources available is used to mark those who are deprioritized for life-saving interventions. This designation helps responders allocate scarce resources to patients with a reasonable chance of benefit, maximizing overall survivors. Other colors indicate different priorities: immediate life-threatening cases that can be saved with prompt care, serious but not immediately life-threatening cases, and those with minor injuries who can wait.