Anthrax | Disaster Nursing Flashcards
Terrorism involves overt actions for the expressed purpose of causing harm. What are 4 ways this can be done?
Disease pathogens (ex. bioterrorism); chemical agents; radiologic/nuclear; explosive devices
How are anthrax, plague, and tularemia treated?
Antibiotics (assuming there are sufficient supplies)
_ can be prevented or ameliorated by vaccination even when first given after exposure
Smallpox
Botulism is treated with
antitoxin
Treatment for hemorrhagic fever
none known
Sarin is a toxic gas that can cause death within minutes of exposure. It enters the body through the es and skin and paralyzes respiratory muscles. Name 2 antidotes for this nerve agent
atropine, pralidoxime chloride
_ is a colorless gas normally used in chemical manufacturing
Phosgene
If phosgene is inhaled at high concentrations for long enough it causes (3)
respiratory distress, pulmonary edema, death
Yellow to brown in color with garlic like odor
Mustard gas
Mustard gas irritates eyes and causes skin
burns/blisters
Mix of explosives and radioactive material. When detonated, blast scatters radioactive dust resulting in radioactive contamination
radiologic dispersal devices (RRDs)/”Dirty bombs”
Main danger from RRDs
Explosion
Note: They do not usually generate enough radiation to cause immediate serious illness except to casualties who are close to the explosion
After RRD, measures to limit contamination should be initiated because radiation cannot be
seen, smelled, felt, or tasted
Ionizing radiation example
nuclear bomb or damage to a nuclear reactor
With ionizing radiation there is
serious threat to safety of people and environment
If external radioactive contaminants are present, _ procedures must be initiated immediately
decontamination
_ develops after a substantial exposure to ionizing radiation
Acute radiation syndrome
Note: follows a predictable pattern
Explosive devices result in one or more of the following types of injuries (3)
Blast, crush, or penetrating
Note: Damage to lungs, middle ear, GI tract can also occur
_ Injuries result from explosions that occur in confined spaces and result from structural collapse
Crush
_ injures result from explosive devices that contain materials that are projected during the explosion
Penetrating
Any extraordinary event that requires a rapid and skilled response and can be managed by a community’s existing resources
Emergency
Manmade or natural event or disaster that overwhelms the community’s ability to respond with existing resources
Mass causality incident (MCI)