Question

he Saber City Disaster Preparedness (DP) team wanted to coordinate a mock terrorist attack to study the effectiveness of their disaster management plan. The goal of the mock attack was to promote confidence, develop skills, coordinate activities, and coordinate participants of the disaster management team. The DP team planned an attack commonly seen as a terrorist attack: a bus carrying important politicians would explode outside of the federal courthouse in downtown Saber. All participating organizations (including the health department, hospital, police and fire departments) were notified of the date the mock attack would be held. Volunteers were recruited who would play the victims at the scene.

After months of planning, the day of the mock attack arrives. Members of the DP team watched how well the organizations worked together during the events of the mock attack. At noon, reports of an exploded bus in front of the federal court house came across the police scanners. "Several people are dead and many more are injured". Emergency medical response teams and hazardous material response crews were called to the scene to care for the injured and attend to the potential hazardous exposure. Policemen quickly cleared the area of people and established a barrier around the scene. Firefighters put out the burning bus.

From the mock attack, the DP team learned that day that the city of Saber was prepared for a terrorist attack. Communication between organizations flowed smoothly, and the disaster-management team was skillful in controlling the situation. Participants in the mock attack stated that they were happy they had the practice experience and felt more confident in their skills to provide care in the event of a major disaster.

Using this case study, answer the following questions:

1) Identify the stage of disaster that Saber has reached: (A) Prevention or mitigation; (B) Preparedness; (C) Response; or (D) Recover. Justify your response.

2) You are the nurse who is called to the scene of the mock disaster. Triage the following clients at the disaster scene and provide rationale for decisions: (a) a 60 year old male with a broken wrist and a history of heart disease; (b) a 30 year old woman with "road burn" lacerations on her forearm and thighs; (c) a 12 year old male with burns marks over 40% of his body.

3) What are some organizations where nurses can volunteer to work in a disaster? Hould this be an obligation for nurses to do? Why or why not?

Answer 1

1. The stage of disaster that Saber has reached is B ) preparedness . It I used the following :-

1)Personal preparedness:

-Personal checklist

-ER supplies kit

2.) Professional preparedness:

-Understands workplace/community disaster plans

-Participates in disaster drills and community mock disasters.

3.) Community Preparedness:

-Office of Emergency Management (OEM)

-Nurse reviews diaster history of the community

-Be a spokesperson

4.) Mass casualty drills or mock disasters

2. Triage is a method to categories the patient's according to their medical needs and chances of survival . The patient according to priority and chances of survival :-

Firstly, care is provided to (b) a 30 year old woman with "road burn" lacerations on her forearm and thigh.

Secondly - a 12 year old male with burns marks over 40% of his body.

Thirdly - a 60 year old male with a broken wrist and a history of heart disease.

Because the women has more chances of survival than the child with 40%burn and the old man who is 60 years old with heart disease.

3. Some organization where nurses can volunteer to work in a disaster are :-

- NGO

- Disaster management clubs

- District and community centers

- Public associations

No, this would not be an obligation for nurses to do because it's there duty to serve others and they morally and legally bound to their duties