Author Question: The community health nurse works in a receiving station after a radiological disaster. The nurse ... (Read 78 times)

TVarnum · **on:** Jul 8, 2018

The community health nurse works in a receiving station after a radiological disaster. The nurse wears the requisite PPE and notes that the majority of the victims have blast injuries.

A volunteer worker reports that many of the victims have dust on their clothes. The nurse's response to the dust is to:
A) Recognize that the dust is common with blast injuries
B) Consider it radioactively contaminated and notify HAZMAT
C) Consider the dust a biological agent and therefore a contaminant
D) Flush all wounds to prevent chemical contamination

Question 2

The nurse is notified that a possible anthrax exposure occurred at the local military base. Civilian workers are routed to the local hospital's emergency department. The nurse's responsibility is to set up PODs in the community.

The function of the PODs in response to the anthrax exposure is to:
A) Distribute decontaminated food
B) Administer prophylactic medications
C) Distribute decontaminated water
D) Provide triage

flexer1n1 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 8, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Ans: B
Feedback:
Community-based nurses are not called to the actual location of a radiological disaster. However, nurses working in a receiving station may observe dust on arriving victims. It must be assumed that dust on victims is radioactive (not a biological agent). PPE should be worn, and HAZMAT should be notified. People should remove their clothing and be referred for decontamination. Open wounds should be cleaned and covered, not flushed.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: B
Feedback:
Postexposure prophylaxis for anthrax, which combines 60 days of antibiotics plus three doses of vaccine, is effective in preventing anthrax disease from occurring after an exposure. In an attack, public health nurses may set up PODs in their communities to administer prophylactic medications. Nurses also have the responsibility to educate the public about anthrax by managing hotlines, answering questions, providing factual information, and offering reassurance. There would be no need for distribution of decontaminated food or water in this case. A POD would not be involved in triage.