Deck 16: Emergency Preparedness and Response for Today’s World

Question 1

A nurse at a school notices that several students have "blisters" on their bodies. Further investigation reveals that a terrorist incident has occurred, causing smallpox. If the chemical, biologic, radiologic, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) agent categories are used, this incident would be classified as:

A) chemical.
B) biologic.
C) radiologic.
D) nuclear.

Answer 1

biologic.

Question 2

The Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS):

A) is totally financed by the federal government national disaster fund.
B) consists of responders who have obtained specialized training and equipment to deal with mass casualty events.
C) has a storehouse of medications and antidotes to be used during response in times of national emergencies.
D) arranges for patient admissions to federal hospitals.

Answer 2

consists of responders who have obtained specialized training and equipment to deal with mass casualty events.

Question 3

The emergency response team responded to a terrorist attack where hundreds of people died following symptoms of chest tightness, palpations, seizures, and finally paralysis. A colorless odorless liquid known as Sarin (GB) was the agent, which is primarily inhaled with limited exposure through the skin. The concentration of Sarin has not been measured. What level is the minimum level of personal protection and safety equipment (PPE) that would be needed?

A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D

Answer 3

B

Question 4

A group of local volunteers respond to a tornado. Volunteers have completed an emergency response course and are able to assist with triage of injured citizens. They also participate in local health fairs to teach residents how to react during tornadoes. The responders are members of the:

A) Medical Reserve Corps (MRC).
B) Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS).
C) National Disaster Medical System (NDMS).
D) Commissioned Corps Readiness Force (CCRF).

Question 5

The crisis communication officer may first inform the public or health care facility of a disaster or an act of terrorism. This representative has the responsibility to:

A) contain the facts to within the administration group.
B) incite the public to quickly take cover and obtain emergency supplies.
C) provide understandable and straightforward facts about the event within the facility and possibly to the news media.
D) inform the public that no information can be released until it has been confirmed by state and federal agencies.

Question 6

A nurse who is conducting a staff in-service on the phases of a disaster continuum teaches participants that, during the impact/response stage, activities focus on:

A) community awareness in anticipation of a terrorist attack or natural disaster.
B) determining the effectiveness of the disaster medical assistance team (DMAT).
C) the use of an all-hazards approach.
D) initiating response activities.

Question 7

Troops from the United States participating in a peace mission in a foreign country were the victims of suicide bombers and many soldiers were evacuated back home to receive specialized medical care. The nation's medical responses will be augmented by:

A) the federally coordinated National Disaster Medical System.
B) local homeland communities where troops receive care.
C) the Medical Reserve Corps, which organizes and utilizes public health, nursing, medical, and other volunteers.
D) the National Incident Management System, which guides government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work seamlessly during disaster situations.

Question 8

Nurses caring for the victims of a mass casualty incident:

A) determine the common terminology to be used by hospitals and participating agencies.
B) take charge of communicating with the news media.
C) determine whether there is a credible threat of a terrorist attack.
D) give priority for care to those with the greatest chance of survival rather than those most critically ill.

Question 9

Nurses and community officials are working together to ensure that churches and schools have needed supplies to provide shelter for large numbers of individuals in the event of a natural or manmade disaster. These activities represent which phase of a disaster continuum?

A) Preparedness
B) Relief response
C) Recovery
D) Crisis intervention

Question 10

During a community health fair the disaster medical assistance team (DMAT) informs participants that every community must be ready to provide disaster care. A participant asks, "In a disaster, the local community cannot possibly be effective, so why not have a plan to call federal agencies immediately to provide relief?" The correct response by the DMAT is:

A) "Unless known terrorist activities involving mass destruction occur, the federal government does not become involved."
B) "The community is essentially the 'first responder' to any disaster."
C) "The preparedness phase of a disaster is the responsibility of the community, the relief response phase is assigned to state agencies, and the recovery phase is the responsibility of federal agencies."
D) "Unless local health care facilities are incapacitated, state and federal agencies will withhold assistance."

Question 11

Following a terrorist attack, victims are exhibiting posttraumatic stress syndrome, and care providers are exhibiting compassion fatigue. Which federal response system should be initiated?

A) Strategic National Stockpile
B) Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS)
C) Commissioned Corps Readiness Force
D) National Disaster Medical System

Question 12

The disaster medical assistance team works quickly to contain contaminants from a chemical plant explosion. Afterward, personnel undergo a special process to remove harmful chemicals from equipment and supplies. This removal process is known as:

A) containment.
B) decontamination.
C) triage.
D) scene assessment.

Question 13

A community in the New Madrid fault zone experiences an earthquake resulting in injuries from propelled objects and abrasions for many victims. The local supply of antibiotics is quickly exhausted. Local authorities would contact the:

A) Commissioned Corps Readiness Force.
B) Strategic National Stockpile.
C) Department of Homeland Security.
D) local Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA).

Question 14

A nurse is informed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has determined that a bomb has been detected and is in the possession of a known terrorist group. The government buildings in the local community are the target. This situation is termed a(n):

A) all-hazards approach.
B) biologic event.
C) credible threat.
D) natural disaster.

Question 15

A nurse learns of a mass casualty disaster following a known terrorist attack. On arriving at the scene, the nurse knows that:

A) the response of local hospitals will be dictated by the federal government.
B) the same ground rules practiced in other settings and during smaller crises will be applicable.
C) the least experienced nurses will be assigned to triage low-risk victims and victims who have no chance of survival.
D) multiple incident commanders ensure a quick, effective response.

Question 16

A state is devastated by a tornado killing many people, destroying communication systems, utility services, homes, and medical facilities. The state requests immediate assistance from the U.S. Congress and from surrounding states. The affected state should first contact the:

A) Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
B) Institute of Medicine (IOM).
C) Red Cross.
D) Strategic National Stockpile.

Question 17

Health care professionals have been activated to respond to a disaster, and the registered nurse who is coordinating the effort realizes that: (select all that apply)

A) in the event of a mass casualty incident, care is prioritized to those who have the greatest chance of surviving.
B) communities should use their own resources first to attempt to stabilize and organize the response.
C) state assistance occurs any time a disaster occurs, regardless of the community's resources.
D) the emergency operating plan developed by one central agency rather than individual facilities should be put into operation.
E) strict protocols regarding the use of resources must be followed.

Question 18

In the preparedness phase for disasters, the community plans for a possible terrorist attack using anthrax as the weapon of destruction. What treatments and/or preparations would be needed?

A) Vaccines and Level B Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
B) Treatment for burns, decontamination, and Level A PPE
C) Social distance determination, decontamination for radioactive fallout
D) Identify and detect incendiary devices, treatment for burns and propellants

Question 19

During the relief response phase of a disaster resulting from a "dirty bomb":

A) treatment for burns and poisoning is provided for victims.
B) emergency plans are coordinated between agencies.
C) reconstruction of destroyed facilities and homes begins.
D) food stores are collected for potential victims.

Question 20

A nurse is interested in learning the phases of the disaster continuum and realizes it has many similarities to the nursing process. To better understand the phases of a disaster, which is true when comparing the phases of the disaster continuum to the nursing process?

A) The preparedness phase of the disaster continuum is consistent with the assessment and planning steps of the nursing process.
B) The recovery phase of the disaster continuum is consistent with the planning step of the nursing process.
C) The recovery phase of the disaster continuum is consistent with the implementation step of the nursing process.
D) The response relief phase of the disaster continuum is consistent with the evaluation step of the nursing process.

Question 21

The term used during a pandemic disaster that refers to the attempt to contain germs by limiting socialization and personal interactions is ___________.

Question 22

The emergency preparedness term that is used to describe the process of limiting the emergency situation within a well-defined area is ___________.

Question 23

When teaching community preparedness for a community group, the nurse explains that components of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) provide for: (select all that apply)

A) a nationwide bomb disposal squad team for the rapid removal of explosive devices.
B) teams of health care providers who are experts and have specialized supplies and equipment.
C) structures for patient evacuation from the disaster area to an unaffected area.
D) arrangements for hospitalization in federal and volunteer nonfederal acute care hospitals.
E) providing mental health care for the community, for victims, and for health care providers.