A facility has been notified of a train derailment resulting in multiple clients experiencing life-threatening injuries. The external disaster plan has been activated. Which of the following actions should a charge nurse on the PACU take?
Take extra wheelchairs to the emergency department.
Send PACU assistive personnel to assist with triage.
Identify stable clients for transfer to a surgical unit.
Report to the command center for further instructions.
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer is C.
Choice A: Take extra wheelchairs to the emergency department While having extra wheelchairs available can be helpful in a disaster situation, it is not the primary responsibility of the PACU charge nurse. The logistics of equipment distribution would typically be managed by a different team or department.
Choice B: Send PACU assistive personnel to assist with triage Triage is a critical part of disaster response, but it is typically performed by trained emergency department personnel or those with specific training in disaster triage. PACU personnel should focus on their area of expertise, which is post-anesthesia care.
Choice C: Identify stable clients for transfer to a surgical unit This is the correct action. By identifying stable clients for transfer, the PACU charge nurse can free up space for incoming patients who may require immediate post-operative care. This action helps to ensure that the PACU is ready to receive patients who are likely to come from the emergency department after immediate lifesaving interventions.
Choice D: Report to the command center for further instructions While communication with the command center is important in a disaster situation, the PACU charge nurse’s primary responsibility is to manage the care environment and patient flow within their specific unit. Other teams or personnel would likely handle tasks like reporting to the command center.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The age of the client might influence the care plan and potential complications, but it's not the primary factor for evaluating cost effectiveness. Cost efficiency is more directly related to the resources utilized during the client's stay.
Choice B rationale:
The availability of community support groups contributes to the client's psychosocial well-being and support network, but it doesn't directly assist in evaluating the cost effectiveness of care. This factor focuses more on the quality of life after discharge.
Choice C rationale:
This is the correct choice. The length of the client's stay directly impacts the cost of care. A longer stay involves more resources, medications, and services, leading to increased costs. Evaluating and optimizing the length of stay is a critical aspect of cost-effective care.
Choice D rationale:
The type of insurance the client carries affects their financial responsibility for the care received, but it's not the main consideration for evaluating cost effectiveness. It primarily influences the patient's out-of-pocket expenses rather than the overall cost of care.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Notify the charge nurse of the client's request for transfer. This action might be taken eventually, but it is not the first step. The nurse should directly address the client's concerns before escalating the situation to the charge nurse.
Choice B rationale:
Assure the client that their concern has been shared with the staff. Tell the client that future calls will be answered in a timely manner. While it's important to reassure the client, promising timely responses to calls before understanding their expectations might not effectively address the underlying issue. It's better to communicate openly with the client first.
Choice C rationale:
Ask the client to verbalize their expectations. This is the correct choice. By asking the client to express their expectations, the nurse can gather crucial information about the client's concerns and needs. This allows the nurse to address the specific issues that led to the client's dissatisfaction and work toward a resolution that aligns with the client's preferences.
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