The term 'expectant' refers to patients who are:

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

Answer: (D)

In disaster triage, the goal is to allocate limited resources to maximize the number of lives saved. The color coding helps responders quickly decide who can benefit from immediate care. The term “expectant” describes patients whose injuries are so severe that survival is unlikely even with intervention, given the current resources. They are marked with black to indicate they have the lowest priority for active treatment, prioritizing those with a better chance of survival (red or yellow) and those with minor injuries who can wait (green). This labeling isn’t about abandonment; it’s about making the most effective use of limited resources so more lives can be saved. If the situation changes or resources become available, reassessment can occur, possibly altering a patient’s priority.