There has been an explosion at a local chemical plant. A private car arrives at the emergency department with 4 victims whose clothes are saturated with a strong-smelling liquid. The victims are wheezing. The nurse should implement which intervention first? A)Assessing the clients' respiratory systems B)Decontaminating the clients C)Donning personal protective equipment D)Providing oxygen by nasal cannula

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Nursing priorities when implementing a chemical contamination emergency response plan include the following: Restricting other clients, staff, and bystanders from the victims' vicinity to protect non-affected individuals and the health care facility from the contaminant Donning personal protective equipment to protect the nurse when providing care (Option C) Decontaminating the clients outside the facility before initiating treatment. If the chemical is not removed, it will continue to cause respiratory distress; contaminated clothing is left outside the facility to reduce the risk of contaminating staff and other clients (Option B). Assessing and providing treatment of symptoms. Initial treatment is for the symptoms (eg, wheezing), regardless of the specific cause (Options A and D). Educational objective: The nurse should always protect other clients, staff, and the health care facility first in a chemical contamination. Personal protective equipment should be put on before decontamination. Victims should be decontaminated outside the facility before care is administered.

There Has Been an Explosion at a Local Chemical Plant