A community health nurse has invited several agencies in the community to a meeting to discuss the disaster plan for the community. Which of the following best describes the purpose of this meeting?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The level of community preparedness for a disaster is only as good as the people and organizations in the community make it. Although natural disasters cannot be prevented, much can be done to minimize further increases in accidents, death, and destruction after impact. A concise, realistic, and well-rehearsed disaster plan is essential for managing the response to disaster. Open, clear, and ongoing communication among involved workers and organizations is critical. A disaster planning meeting among community agencies would not impact the stability or functioning of the community. The communication among the agencies that are present may be improved; however, the group is meeting for a specific purpose so the overall communication may not change, and there may be agencies that are not represented at the meeting.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Triage is the process of separating casualties and allocating treatment on the basis of the victims' potentials for survival. The nurse will determine how seriously hurt individuals are and who should get care first, with the first priority being those who have life-threatening injuries but will probably survive if treated quickly. Although the textbook does not address the issue, because of the limited resources in a disaster situation and the fact that only the nurse is currently available to give care, seriously hurt individuals with head or chest injuries that have only a small chance of surviving are not treated. Those who do not have life-threatening injuries and are mobile and functioning are not given priority during the triage process.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Symptoms of early stress and burnout include minor tremors, nausea, inability to concentrate, difficulty thinking, and problems with memory. Suppressing feelings of guilt, powerlessness, anger, and other signs of stress eventually will lead to symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, headaches, and distortions of bodily functions. It is normal to experience stress, but it must be addressed. The worst thing anyone can do is to deny that it exists. The American Red Cross recommends that the worker get enough sleep and take time away from the disaster (i.e., take breaks). The colleague should deal with his emotions now and not put them off to deal with later. The symptoms that are described relate to early stress and burnout, thus, not multi-tasking or drinking more water are probably not going to help relieve his symptoms.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Primary prevention takes place before a condition occurs. Primary prevention occurs when one participates in developing a disaster management plan for the community. Secondary prevention occurs with at risk populations and is aimed at early diagnosis and treatment. Tertiary prevention occurs after a problem has already been detected or diagnoses. The development of a plan only addresses primary prevention, not the other levels described.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: H. influenzae type B (Hib) was a major cause of epiglottitis and mortality in children before vaccination, and resistance to ampicillin is common (>15%). However, (C) is false: while Hib causes otitis media, nontypeable H. influenzae is the most common bacterial cause, not type B.