The nurse is a member of a disaster team responding to a chemical ...

[ishan]

The nurse is a member of a disaster team responding to a chemical disaster. The nurse assesses clients in a systematic fashion, concentrating on their ability to breathe. When entering the evacuation site, before the physical assessments, the nurse should
 
  A) Don PPE
  B) Interview the client
  C) Report to the hot zone
  D) Request a HAZMAT expert to witness the client assessment

Question 2

As a member of a disaster team, the nurse responds to a confirmed outbreak of the plague. The nurse understands that the pneumonic plague has a high mortality rate. The decision to meet the needs of the public on a wide scale includes:
 
  A) Administration of antibiotics via PODs
  B) Administration of antivirals via PODs
  C) Door-to-door visits to administer preventative medication
  D) Isolating designated hospitals to prevent spread of the plague

[sultana.d]

Answer to Question 1

Ans: A
Feedback:
In the field, the public health nurse's response to a chemical incident is summed up in two words: act quickly. Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) experts report to the hot zone on notification of the release of the chemical. The nurse may be asked to report to a temporary evacuation site, not the hot zone, where people exposed to the chemical are awaiting triage. Donning PPE must be the first priority. Then assessment of the victim's ability to breathe is necessary. Maintaining adequate respiratory function tops the list for effective client management in a chemical event. Keeping the victims in a sitting position with constrictive clothing loosened or removed is necessary. If the client cannot sit, the torso should be elevated. Interviewing the client should come later. There is no need to have a HAZMAT expert witness the client assessment.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: A
Feedback:
Without early treatment, pneumonic plague has a high mortality rate. Several types of antibiotics are effective in the treatment of all forms of plague. Should there be a confirmed bioterrorism attack, prophylactic distribution of antibiotics to the public would occur through POD sites. Antivirals would not be effective against the plague, which is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Door-to-door visits to administer preventative medication would not be feasible or necessary, given the availability of PODs. Isolating designated hospitals would not meet the needs of the public on a wide scale.