Final answer:
A priority 2 (yellow tag) patient in emergencies has serious but not life-threatening conditions that require prompt medical attention within 30 minutes to two hours. They may have systemic injuries, remain alert, and could deteriorate if untreated.
Step-by-step explanation:
In emergency medicine, a priority 2 (yellow tag) patient refers to someone who requires urgent medical attention but whose condition is not immediately life-threatening. Characteristics of these patients typically include serious injuries or illnesses that require medical intervention within 30 minutes to two hours.
Key features of priority 2 patients include:
- Injuries that are systemic but not currently disabling, such as bone fractures.
- Alert and responsive, but may be experiencing significant pain or distress.
- Potential for their condition to worsen if left unattended for an extended period.
During triage, these patients are often responsive and able to follow commands but have conditions that could escalate in severity, hence the need for prompt attention. They are behind priority 1 (red tag) patients in emergency treatment orders.