3.4 Disaster Nursing and Nursing Process

Question 1

Disaster

Answer 1

• The event overwhelms local resources and threatens the safety of the community
• May cause devastation to property or life
• Leaves victims with damaged sense of safety and well-being
• Varying degrees of emotional trauma

Question 2

Psychological/Behavioral Responses to Disaster (Adults)

Answer 2

• Anger
• Disbelief
• Sadness
• Anxiety
• Fear
• Irritability
• Arousal
• Numbing
• Sleep Disturbances
• Increase alcohol/caffeine/tobacco use

Question 3

Psychological/Behavioral Response to Disaster (Preschool/Older Children)

Answer 3

Preschool
- Separation anxiety, regressive behavior, nightmares, hyperactive or withdrawn behaviors

Older Children
- Difficulty concentrating, somatic complaints (pain, weakness, SOB), sleep disturbances, concerns about safety

Question 4

Nursing Diagnosis for Disaster

Answer 4

• Risk for injury (trauma, suffocation, poison)
• Risk for infection
• Anxiety (panic)
• Fear
• Spiritual distress
• Risk for post-trauma syndrome
• Ineffective community coping

Question 5

Outcomes for Disaster Nursing

Answer 5

• Demonstrate behaviors necessary to protect self from further injury
• Identifies interventions to prevent/reduce risk of infection
• Maintains anxiety at manageable level
• Express beliefs and values about spiritual issues
• Demonstrates ability to deal with emotional reactions in an appropriate manner
• Demonstrates an increase in activities to improve community functioning

Question 6

Planning

Answer 6

• Consider goals related to specific nursing diagnosis

Examples
- Anxiety (Goal is to have anxiety at a manageable level. Patient should demonstrate use of positive coping methods)

• Spiritual Distress (Goal is to have patient express their beliefs/values about spiritual issues to identify their feelings)
• Risk of post-trauma syndrome (Patients should demonstrate an ability to deal with their emotional reactions in an appropriate way)

Question 7

Implementation

Answer 7

• Discuss with patients what causes their anxiety
• Encourage positive stress management to vent emotions instead of anger/hostility
• Identify patient coping methods
• Provide calm, safe environment

Question 8

Evaluation

Answer 8

HAS THE PATIENT?
- Been free of serious injury
- Been able to maintain anxiety at a manageable level
- Established a plan for future contingencies