A nurse is preparing a client's body for a postmortem family viewing.

Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Determine the acuity and number of casualties arriving at the facility

During a mass casualty event, the nurse working on a medical-surgical unit can anticipate being assigned the task of determining the acuity and number of casualties arriving at the healthcare facility. This involves assessing the severity of injuries and prioritizing care based on the level of urgency. The nurse will be responsible for triaging and assigning appropriate resources to each patient based on their condition.

Provide informational updates to members of the media. In (option A) is incorrect. While communication and coordination with the media may be necessary during a mass casualty event, this is typically handled by designated spokespersons or hospital administration. Nurses are primarily focused on providing direct patient care and managing the influx of patients.

Assist in discharging stable clients to home in (option C) is incorrect. During a mass casualty event, the focus is on providing care to the injured and managing the influx of casualties. Discharging stable clients to home would not be a priority task during such an event.

Delegate tasks to emergency healthcare specialists in (option D) is incorrect. Nurses may collaborate with emergency healthcare specialists during a mass casualty event, but they usually take on leadership roles in coordinating and providing direct care. Nurses are responsible for assigning tasks and coordinating the efforts of the healthcare team, including specialists, to ensure effective care delivery.

Placing soiled linens on the floor can lead to cross-contamination and the spread of infectious agents. This can pose a risk to the immunocompromised client, who may be more susceptible to infections.

Lining waste containers with single bags helps contain potentially infectious waste and facilitates proper disposal. This reduces the risk of contamination and exposure to infectious materials.

Using dampened cloths for dusting helps minimize the spread of dust and airborne particles. Dampening the cloth can help capture the dust and prevent it from becoming airborne, reducing the potential for respiratory exposure.

Placing uncapped sharps in a puncture-resistant container is an essential practice to prevent needlestick injuries and the transmission of bloodborne pathogens. This ensures safe disposal of sharps and reduces the risk of accidental needlestick injuries to healthcare workers and clients.