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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.
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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.
The nurse is instructing on bioterrorism agents. Which of the following does the nurse emphasize as an agent which is transmitted from person to person?
- A. Anthrax
- B. Botulism
- C. Smallpox
- D. Varicella
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Smallpox is highly contagious and caused by a variola virus. Individuals infected with the botulinum toxin and anthrax are not at risk to others; there are no reports of person to person transmission. Varicella, commonly called the chickenpox, is contagious but not a bioterrorism agent.
Nurses are learning to administer the smallpox vaccine in the event of needed mass inoculation. When administering the vaccination, the nurse needs to be aware of which of the following?
- A. Administer the vaccination subcutaneously
- B. Prep the site with alcohol
- C. Aspirate when giving the injection
- D. Cover the site with a loose gauze
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse would cover the site with a loose gauze as the vaccination is a live virus. The injection is given in the deltoid intramuscularly. Alcohol should not be used to prepare the site as alcohol can inactivate the virus. The injection is given in a technique using a bifurcated needle and aspiration is not done.
The emergency department nurse manager is orienting the new nurse regarding bioterrorism. The nurse manager would include which indicator(s) as an example of bioterrorism? Select all that apply.
- A. Small amount of people sick in a variety of locations in the area
- B. Clusters of sick people from a shared locale
- C. High outbreak of similar symptoms among previously healthy people
- D. Increased numbers of sick people seeking health care
- E. Majority of individuals presenting with general malaise
Correct Answer: B,C,D
Rationale: The nurse manager would explain that indicators of bioterrorism could include clusters of sick people from a shared locale, high outbreak of similar symptoms among previously healthy people, and increased numbers of sick people seeking healthcare. General malaise would not be the primary presentation of any bioterrorism attack.
The nurse educator is preparing a presentation about the indicators of chemical terrorism. The nurse educator would include which indicator(s) in the presentation? Select all that apply.
- A. Fog-like or low-lying cloud in the atmosphere
- B. Numerous dead animals and birds
- C. Increase in temperature in area of the event
- D. Strong wind in area of the event
- E. Unexplained odor atypical for the location
Correct Answer: A,B,E
Rationale: The indicators that the nurse educator would include in the presentation are fog-like or low-lying cloud in the atmosphere, numerous dead animals and birds, and unexplained odor atypical for the location. The temperature in the area would not increase after a chemical event. There would be no wind associated with a chemical event.