During a mass casualty incident (MCI) in the emergency department, a nurse encounters four patients. Which patient should the nurse prioritize for immediate intervention using the START triage system?

✓ Correct Answer: Option C

In START triage, a patient with an open fracture and active bleeding, who is still conscious and able to follow commands, is triaged as "Red" (immediate) due to the potential for rapid deterioration from hemorrhage, making them a high priority.