A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is notified that a mass casualty event has occurred in the community.
Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take
A.
Call in additional medical-surgical unit nursing care staff
B.
Act as a liaison between the facility and the media
C.
Determine the medical needs of incoming clients through the emergency department.
D.
Recommend to the provider specific acute care clients for discharge.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
In the event of a mass casualty incident, the most appropriate action for a nurse on a medical-surgical unit is A. Call in additional medical-surgical unit nursing care staff.
Explanation:
Mass casualty events, such as natural disasters, major accidents, or large-scale emergencies, typically result in a significant influx of patients with varying degrees of injury and illness. These situations can quickly overwhelm the existing healthcare resources and personnel available at a medical facility. Here’s a detailed explanation of why calling in additional staff is the best course of action:
1. Increased Patient Load: A mass casualty event leads to a sudden and substantial increase in the number of patients requiring medical attention. The current staff may not be sufficient to handle the surge in patients, which could compromise the quality of care and patient outcomes. By calling in additional nursing staff, the unit can better manage the increased workload, ensure timely assessments, and provide appropriate care to all patients.
2. Efficient Triage and Care: Additional staff allows for more efficient triage and management of patients. Nurses can be assigned specific roles, such as initial assessments, monitoring, and administering treatments, which helps streamline the care process. This organized approach improves the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the medical response to the mass casualty event.
3. Preventing Burnout: Handling a high volume of patients can be physically and emotionally exhausting for healthcare professionals. By bringing in additional staff, the burden on the current team is reduced, helping to prevent burnout and ensuring that the quality of care remains high throughout the crisis.
4. Supporting Emergency Operations: While tasks such as acting as a liaison between the facility and the media (option B) and determining medical needs through the emergency department (option C) are important, they are not immediate priorities for the nursing staff directly involved in patient care. Similarly, recommending discharge for acute care clients (option D) might be relevant, but it is not as crucial as ensuring adequate staffing levels to manage the surge of new patients.
In summary, calling in additional medical-surgical unit nursing care staff is essential to effectively manage the increased patient load during a mass casualty event, maintain high standards of patient care, and support the overall emergency response efforts.