Nokea
The nurse is caring for a victim of a chemical disaster. Medications given in the treatment of this client include amyl nitrite, sodium nitrite, and sodium thiosulphate. What chemical agent does the nurse know this client has been exposed to?
- A. Sarin
- B. Mustard gas
- C. Cyanide
- D. Anthrax
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cyanide poisoning calls for the administration of one or all of the following antidotes: amyl nitrite, sodium nitrite, and sodium thiosulfate. Amyl nitrite promotes the formation of methemoglobin, which combines with cyanide to form nontoxic cyanmethemoglobin. Sarin, mustard gas, and anthrax are not treated in this way.
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The student nurse is working with a nurse manager at a hospital when a disaster drill is announced over the hospital P.A. system. The nurse manager asks the nursing student what color triage tag is used for clients who have life threatening, but survivable conditions, if rapid medical attention is provided. What color is the triage tag for these clients?
- A. Red
- B. Yellow
- C. Green
- D. Black
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse is asking about clients that are labeled immediate when the clients suffer with life threatening, but survivable conditions, if rapid medical attention is provided. Immediate clients are given a red triage tag. Clients with yellow triage tags are labeled delayed, and have injuries serious but stable enough to survive if treatment is delayed 6-8 hours. Clients with green triage tags are labeled minimal, and have injuries that are minor and can wait longer to be addressed. Clients with black triage tags are labeled expectant, and are expected to die.
The nursing student is preparing a teaching presentation on disaster preparedness for a nursing class assignment. Which action(s) would the student include in the presentation? Select all that apply.
- A. Keep a supply of fresh foods on hand
- B. Keep a 24-hour supply of medications on hand at all times
- C. Affix a tag to a pet's collar with contact information
- D. Store a supply kit with extra batteries, flashlight, and radio
- E. Create a network of persons who can provide support during and after the disaster
Correct Answer: C,D,E
Rationale: The student should address that an individual should keep 7 days of medications on hand; 24 hours of medications is not enough of a supply for the individual to keep on hand. Individuals should keep canned or dried packaged food on hand as fresh foods will not remain safe if refrigeration is not available. Battery operated flashlights and radio, as well as extra batteries should be kept on hand. A network of persons who can provide support during and after the disaster is important to have on hand prior to an emergency.
The nurse is taking a class on chemical disasters with the local emergency response team. What toxin(s) would the nurse be learning about? Select all that apply.
- A. Blistering agents
- B. Psychologic agents
- C. Contact emulsifiers
- D. Nerve agents
- E. Cyanide
Correct Answer: A,D,E
Rationale: Examples of extremely toxic chemicals include nerve agents, cyanide, respiratory toxins, and blistering agents. The nurse would not be learning about psychologic or nerve agents as toxins present in chemical disasters.
The nurse is orienting to the emergency department and finds cases of potassium iodide tablets located in the supply closet. The nurse asks the nurse manager, 'What is the purpose of this agent?' What is the nurse manager's best response?
- A. Potassium iodide is given to individuals who come to the emergency department dehydrated to replenish their potassium level.'
- B. Potassium iodide is given to individuals diagnosed with hypothyroidism in the emergency department.'
- C. Potassium iodide is given to individuals as a prophylaxis for protecting the thyroid gland from absorption of radiation in case of an accident at the local nuclear plant.'
- D. Potassium iodide is given to individuals who are given furosemide intravenously in the emergency department to replenish their potassium level.'
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse manager's best response is, 'Potassium iodide is given to individuals as a prophylaxis for protecting the thyroid gland from absorption of radiation in case of an accident at the local nuclear plant,' because this best describes the rationale for keeping the medication on hand. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) currently requires states with a population within 10 miles of a commercial nuclear plant to have immediate access to a supply of potassium iodide (KI) tablets.
The nurse is on a community awareness safety committee. When prioritizing biological agents according to potential morbidity and mortality, which cluster of biological agents hold the highest mortality?
- A. Hantavirus, tuberculosis
- B. Botulism, Salmonella
- C. Anthrax, smallpox
- D. Escherichia coli, Brucella species
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The cluster of agents with the highest mortality includes anthrax and smallpox. The Hantavirus and tuberculosis agents are not presently used for bioterrorism. Botulism and Salmonella as well as Escherichia coli and Brucella species are of low mortality.