Chapter 14: Disaster Preparedness

Chapter 14: Disaster Preparedness

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. In addition to the Department of Homeland Security, which of the following agencies has a mission to ensure that the nation is well prepared to respond to an act of terrorism?

ANS:  C

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recognized as the leading federal agency designed to protect the health and safety of people at home and abroad. The mission of the CDC’s Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response (COTPER) is to protect the health and enhance the living of all people in terms of community preparedness and response. The CDC’s mission is to ensure that the nation is well prepared to respond to an act of terrorism (CDC, 2003). The American Medical Association has developed a series of National Disaster Life Support courses “designed to provide a uniform, coordinated approach to all-hazards disaster management,” but these courses are not designed specifically to combat terrorism. The CDC works with the American Red Cross because both are advocates of preparedness and coordination of prompt, effective emergency efforts. This preparedness coordination goes far beyond these individual agencies and includes outreach to other agencies or groups through mutual aid agreements. However, the CDC is the preeminent agency in this field. Other agencies (e.g., department stores, the Salvation Army, Goodwill) provide clothing. Their efforts are not directed primarily toward terrorist activity.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Comprehension     REF:   Text reference: p. 324

OBJ:   Discuss guidelines for patient care in the event of mass casualty care.

TOP:   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Assessment   MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

2. Personal protection equipment is categorized by the level of safety provided. Standard work uniforms or work clothes offer what level of protection?

ANS:  D

Standard work uniforms or work clothes offer level D protection. There is no respiratory protection. Standard precautions are important to take when level D protection is used.

Level A protection provides maximum protection because it offers self-contained breathing apparatus, fully encloses the individual, and includes chemical-resistant boots and gloves. Level B protection provides respiratory protection but less skin protection. Used by trained responders, this PPE includes self-contained breathing apparatus, a hooded chemical-resistant suit, and face, boot, and glove protection. First responders (those emergency personnel first on the scene) and hospital personnel are trained and fitted to use level C protection. As with level A and B protection, level C protection presents danger to the user, primarily for dehydration and hyperthermia.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Comprehension     REF:   Text reference: p. 327

OBJ:   Identify actions to take in the event of biological, chemical, and radiation exposure.

TOP:   Levels of Safety                              KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Planning

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

3. The most recently labeled level of protection is BioPPE. The use of BioPPE requires which of the following items?

ANS:  D

The most recently labeled level of protection is BioPPE. BioPPE requires the use of standard work clothes, along with contact and respiratory protection. Double gloving and an N95 mask or a better respirator is recommended. Level A protection provides maximum protection in that it offers a self-contained breathing apparatus, fully encapsulates the individual, and includes chemically resistant boots and gloves. BioPPE protection is not adequate when caring for patients exposed to toxic chemicals; however, it provides adequate protection against radiological and biological agents.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   Text reference: p. 327

OBJ:   Identify actions to take in the event of biological, chemical, and radiation exposure.

TOP:   BioPPE           KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Implementation

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

4. Upon arriving at a mass causality scene, health care providers using the SALT approach will initiate triage by doing which of the following first?

ANS:  C

In the SALT process, the first step is to sort the affected individuals in to groups so that they may be assessed individually. Category 1 includes those who are not moving and have life-threatening injuries. Category 2 includes those who are able to wave or have purposeful movement. Category 3 consists of those able to walk on their own.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Comprehension     REF:   Text reference: p. 327

OBJ:   Discuss guidelines for patient care in the event of mass casualty care.

TOP:   Triage             KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Implementation

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

5. Disaster nursing differs from general nursing because when caring for patients during a disaster:

ANS:  D

Disaster nursing differs from general nursing in that the focus shifts from caring for the sickest people first to saving the greatest number of lives. Triage sorts the victims in to groups with color coded tags which identify status—black for the dead or mortally injured, red for those in need of immediate attention to survive, yellow for those seriously injured but more stable than individuals coded “red”, and green for those with minimal injuries, This allows the rescue teams to direct resources in a most effective manner to save the greatest number of lives.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Comprehension     REF:   Text reference: p. 328

OBJ:   Discuss guidelines for patient care in the event of mass casualty care.

TOP:   Disaster Nursing                             KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Implementation

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity