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 A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Placing the sterile package with the top flap opening away from the body is the correct choice. This technique helps maintain the sterility of the contents by preventing potential contamination from the nurse's body and clothing.
Choice B rationale:
Pinching the flap on the inside of the package first to open it is not a recommended sterile technique. It could potentially introduce contamination from the nurse's hand into the sterile field when pinching the inner flap.
Choice C rationale:
Reaching over the package to open the left flap is not the ideal technique. Reaching over the sterile field can introduce the risk of contamination, as the nurse's arm and body might come into contact with the sterile supplies.
Choice D rationale:
Pulling the last flap of the package away from the body is not the most effective technique. This action could potentially lead to the nurse's hand coming close to or over the sterile field, increasing the risk of contamination.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The age of the client might impact the care plan, but it doesn't directly relate to the cost effectiveness of care. Older patients might have different health considerations, but the length of their stay and the services they require play a more significant role in cost evaluation.
Choice B rationale:
While the availability of community support groups can be beneficial for the client's overall well-being and recovery, it doesn't directly contribute to evaluating the cost effectiveness of care. Community support groups are more about psychosocial support than cost.
Choice C rationale:
This is the correct choice. The length of the client's stay directly affects the cost of care. Longer stays often involve more resources, medications, treatments, and staff time, leading to higher costs. Shorter and more efficient stays are generally more cost-effective.
Choice D rationale:
The type of insurance the client carries is relevant to the client's financial responsibility for their care, but it doesn't assist in evaluating the overall cost effectiveness of care. The insurance type might affect reimbursement rates, but it doesn't provide a comprehensive picture of cost efficiency.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.