Nokea
The nurse is caring for clients in the emergency department who have been admitted from the area surrounding a nuclear power plant. There had been a small explosion at the plant and a small amount of radiation had escaped. The nurse knows that this is what type of a disaster?
- A. Natural
- B. Explosive
- C. Chemical
- D. Radiologic
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Radiologic disasters can occur in the following ways: Explosion of a dirty bomb; Damage to or human error in a nuclear power plant facility; a Nuclear blast. The scenario does not describe a natural disaster or a chemical disaster. 'Explosive' is not a specific type of disaster.
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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.
Which isolation category should the nurse use to guide care when caring for a client with anthrax?
- A. Standard precautions
- B. Droplet precautions
- C. Airborne precautions
- D. Contact precautions
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Standard precautions, measures for reducing the risk of transmitting pathogens, are sufficient for caring for clients infected with anthrax. These precautions are for all patients being cared for in the hospital. Droplet, airborne, and contact precautions initiate additional measures beyond those for standard precautions.
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 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.
The emergency department nurse is caring for clients involved in a chlorine exposure accident at a local chemical plant. The nurse is aware that permanent damage can occur to which body systems?
- A. Cardiac
- B. Respiratory
- C. Renal
- D. Hepatic
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The consequences of exposure to chlorine and other respiratory toxins are related to the amount, route, and length of chemical exposure. Death occurs as fluid infiltrates the pulmonary air spaces and terminal bronchioles interfering with gas exchange. Following recovery from an acute event, victims may develop chronic bronchitis and emphysema.