Final answer:
A priority 1 (red tag) patient in a triage situation is someone with life-threatening conditions needing immediate treatment to stabilize and preserve life, such as those with severe respiratory distress, uncontrolled hemorrhage, or shock.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characteristics of a priority 1 (red tag) patient include those who have life-threatening injuries or illnesses that require immediate attention. In triage, which is the process of determining the priority of patients' treatments based on the severity of their condition, a red tag indicates that the patient has conditions such as compromised airways, breathing, circulation, or severe bleeding, which could lead to death if not immediately addressed. These patients are often unconscious, have severe respiratory distress, uncontrolled hemorrhage, or signs of shock, such as a rapid heart rate and low blood pressure. The goal in treating priority 1 patients is to stabilize their condition and ensure they receive the immediate medical interventions necessary to preserve life.