NUR 210 Disaster Prep U

Permanent brain injury or death will occur within which time frame secondary to hypoxia?

f the airway is completely obstructed, permanent brain injury or death will occur within 3 to 5 minutes secondary to hypoxia.

The nurse is caring for a client exposed to a blistering agent. While the nurse is quickly decontaminating the client by showering and bagging all client clothing, what is the nurse simultaneously assessing for?

A person exposed to a blistering agent or vesicant must be decontaminated immediately, with clothing removed and bagged. Irrigation of the victim's eyes and application of topical analgesia, antibiotics, and lubricants to the skin occur. Simultaneously, the nurse is assessing the respiratory system for airway obstruction because blisters from inhaled toxics can swell obstructing respiratory passages.

A person suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning would exhibit which of the following manifestations?

A person suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning appears intoxicated (from cerebral hypoxia). Other signs and symptoms include headache, muscular weakness, palpitation, dizziness, and mental confusion. The skin coloring in the patient with carbon monoxide poisoning can range from pink to cherry red to cyanotic and pale and is not a reliable diagnostic sign.

A patient was suspected of being in direct contact with anthrax but is exhibiting no signs or symptoms. What type of prophylaxis does the nurse know this patient will have to take?

At present, anthrax is penicillin sensitive; however, strains of penicillin-resistant anthrax are thought to exist. Recommended treatment includes penicillin ( Penicillin V), erythromycin (Erythrocin), gentamicin ( Garamycin), or doxycycline (Vibramycin). If antibiotic treatment begins within 24 hours after exposure, death can be prevented. In a mass casualty situation, treatment with ciprofloxacin (Cipro) or doxycycline is recommended, because these easily administered oral antibiotic agents are stockpiled and there should be sufficient dosages to fully treat many anthrax-exposed patients.

The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with botulism. Which medication classification does the nurse anticipate?

Botulism is a disease that develops from the neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum antitoxin is the only treatment after exposure to lessen the severity of symptoms. Antibiotics are used for anthrax. Supportive treatments such as antipyretics are used for smallpox. Anti-inflammatory medications are not treatments for botulism.

Four clients injured in an automobile accident enter the emergency department at the same time. The triage nurse evaluates them immediately. The nurse should assign the highest priority to the client with the:

Emergency department triage involves giving priority to clients at highest risk for loss of life, limb, or vision. Clients with poor prognoses are given a lesser priority. The client with the maxillofacial injury and gurgling respirations needs immediate attention because of an impaired airway. The spinal cord injury client doesn't exhibit immediate airway needs. The client with the severe head injury and no blood pressure has a grave prognosis. Although the client in early labor is an urgent priority, early labor doesn't surpass airway compromise in importance.

To establish an airway using the head-tilt-chin-lift maneuver in a patient without a suspected cervical spine injury, the first step would be to:

In the head-tilt-chin-lift maneuver, one hand is placed on the victim's forehead and firm backward pressure is applied with the palm to tilt the head back, which will move the tongue forward (away from the back of the throat). The fingers of the other hand are placed under the bony part of the lower jaw (mandible), near the chin, and gently lifted up.

Using the traditional triage acuity system, which one of the following patient situations would be classified as non-urgent?

The nonurgent classification is used for those who do not have a life-threatening illness. This refers to the patient with a fractured wrist. Choice B would be considered emergent since breathing must be maintained. The other two choices are considered urgent. The patient with a concussion must be evaluated for additional brain injury (eg, subdural hematoma), and a patient with chest trauma must be examined for other internal injuries.

The nurse is caring for a victim of a chemical disaster. Medications given in the treatment of this client include amyl nitrate, sodium nitrate, and sodium thiosulfate. What chemical agent does the nurse know this client has been exposed to?

They administer one or all of the following antidotes: amyl nitrate, sodium nitrate, and sodium thiosulfate. Amyl nitrate promotes the formation of methemoglobin, which combines with cyanide to form nontoxic cyanmethemoglobin. Therefore, options A, B, and D are incorrect.

The first step in decontamination includes

To be effective, decontamination must include a minimum of two steps. The first step is removal of the client's clothing and jewelry and then rinsing the client with water. The second step consists of thoroughly washing with soap and water then rinsing.