Chapter 23 Flashcards
Which statement about disasters is true?
a. They can be natural or human-made.
b. They can be relieved without assistance.
c. There is always injury and death when a disaster occurs.
d. The timing of a disaster does not influence the types of injuries that will occur.
ANS: A
There are natural and human-made disasters.
The use of weapons of mass destruction or natural disasters, such as earthquakes, will often have more casualties because:
a. They cause the most widespread destruction.
b. Victims have little time to make evacuation preparations.
c. Those with chronic conditions cannot escape in time.
d. The early warning systems are not effective.
ANS: B
The use of weapons of mass destruction or natural disasters, such as earthquakes, will often have more casualties because victims have little time to make evacuation preparations. The other answers are false.
Which is an example of a natural disaster?
a. Transportation accident
b. Pollution
c. Communicable disease epidemic
d. Fire
ANS: C
A communicable disease epidemic would be considered a natural disaster.
Which is an example of a human-made disaster?
a. Structural collapse
b. Communicable disease epidemics
c. Mud slides
d. Floods
ANS: A
A structural collapse would be considered a human-made disaster.
What emotion would a nurse anticipate when working with an older person following a disaster?
a. Anger
b. Fear of loss of independence
c. Violence
d. Regression
ANS: B
A common reaction of older persons experiencing disaster may be fear of loss of independence.
In which situation would a nurse experience vicarious traumatization?
a. When sustaining an injury during the disaster
b. When exhausted and unable to adjust to the pace at home
c. When frustrated about the response time during the disaster
d. When listening to survivors’ stories about traumatic events
ANS: D
Vicarious traumatization can be a response to listening to survivors’ stories about traumatic events. Mental health workers need to assist nurses as well as the public.
A nurse is working in a temporary shelter for victims following a natural disaster. Which condition is the nurse most likely to encounter?
a. Stress
b. Communicable disease
c. Chronic illness
d. Injuries requiring first aid
ANS: A
Causes can be the shock of the disaster itself, loss of personal possessions, fear of the unknown, living in close proximity to total strangers, and boredom.
A riverfront community builds a retaining wall to divert flood water away from the town. This is an example of:
a. Mitigation
b. A natural disaster
c. Disaster reduction
d. Disaster health
ANS: A
Mitigation is defined as actions or measures that can either prevent the occurrence of a disaster or reduce the severity of the effects.
An example of community preparedness for a disaster is:
a. Assembling emergency supplies
b. Understanding the workplace disaster plan
c. Taking a disaster training course
d. Developing an evacuation plan to remove individuals from danger
ANS: D
Assembling emergency supplies is an example of individual preparedness. Understanding the workplace disaster plan is an example of preparedness in the workplace within the community. Taking a disaster training course is an example of professional preparedness.
What would most likely occur during the preparedness stage of disaster management?
a. Heightened inspection and increased security in the community
b. Incorporation of provision of pets into local disaster plans
c. Purchase of personal protective equipment for all citizens
d. Assembly of disaster kits for the home, workplace, and car
ANS: D
Disaster kit assembly for the home, workplace, and car, especially by nurses occurs during the preparedness phase. The other answers are false or describe the other stages.
When working in a disaster, which attribute would be most important for the nurse to possess?
a. Flexibility
b. Training
c. Experience
d. Special interest
ANS: A
Flexibility is an attribute. Training, experience, and special interest are all roles of a nurse working in a disaster.
What is most likely to occur in the community during the Honeymoon Phase after a disaster?
a. First responders work tirelessly to save others.
b. Survivors share their stories.
c. Medical personnel experience exhaustion.
d. Community organizations rebuild the community.
ANS: B
During the Honeymoon Phase, survivors rejoice for their survival and may share their experiences and stories. First responders work tirelessly to save others during the Heroic Phase. Medical personnel experience exhaustion during the Disillusionment Phase. The community begins to rebuild during the Reconstruction Phase.
What is the first action a nurse should take when assessing persons arriving at a shelter following a disaster?
a. Limit the amount of equipment and medications brought into the shelter.
b. Determine if the person has a psychological condition requiring special attention.
c. Assess whether this type of facility is appropriate for the person.
d. Provide medical care for persons as if they were in a hospital.
ANS: C
Any person who comes to a special needs shelter must be assessed by a nurse to determine whether this type of facility is appropriate.
What action would the nurse take when triaging victims following a disaster?
a. Allocation of treatment based on the victim’s potential for survival
b. Assignment of tasks to the appropriate disaster response personnel
c. Determination of the level of disaster and agency involvement
d. Participation in community preparedness for the disaster response
ANS: A
The triage process in disaster involves separating the casualties and allocating treatment based on the victim’s potential for survival.
Which task would a nurse be most likely to perform while volunteering on a disaster medical assistant team?
a. Set up immunization clinics.
b. Assist in triaging disaster victims.
c. Provide all the medical care for disaster victims.
d. Complete a needs assessment of the community.
ANS: B
As a first responder arriving on the scene, the plans for triaging of disaster victims should begin immediately.
