A nurse is educating community members about how to prepare for a disaster. Which of the following items should be included in a disaster preparedness kit? (Select all that apply)

Choice A reason:

Inserting a nasogastric tube is not the first-line intervention for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This invasive procedure is typically reserved for severe cases where other interventions have failed.

Choice B reason:

Administering an antiemetic is the appropriate action. Antiemetics help control nausea and vomiting, which are common side effects of opioids like morphine. This intervention can provide immediate relief and improve the client’s comfort.

Choice C reason:

Auscultating bowel sounds is important for assessing gastrointestinal function, but it does not directly address the immediate symptom of nausea and vomiting. This assessment can be part of the overall evaluation but is not the primary intervention.

Choice D reason:

Encouraging the client to ambulate is beneficial for overall recovery and can help reduce the risk of complications such as deep vein thrombosis. However, it does not directly address the immediate issue of nausea and vomiting.

Choice A Reason:

Vesicles on the skin are more commonly associated with cutaneous anthrax, not inhalation anthrax. Cutaneous anthrax typically presents with a raised, itchy bump that develops into a painless sore with a black center.

Choice B Reason:

Respiratory failure is a severe and common symptom of inhalation anthrax. Inhalation anthrax begins with flu-like symptoms but can rapidly progress to severe respiratory distress, shock, and often death if not treated promptly.

Choice C Reason:

Flu-like symptoms are indeed an early sign of inhalation anthrax, but they are not specific enough to indicate exposure definitively. These symptoms include sore throat, mild fever, fatigue, and muscle aches.

Choice D Reason:

Coughing of blood can occur in the later stages of inhalation anthrax as the disease progresses and the respiratory system becomes severely compromised.