The nurse receives news of a local mass shooting. Stable clients need to be discharged to make room for newly admitted clients. Which client would the nurse identify as safe to recommend for discharge?

Question

The nurse receives news of a local mass shooting.  Stable clients need to be discharged to make room for newly admitted clients.  Which client would the nurse identify as safe to recommend for discharge?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Disaster events cause a sudden increase in admissions to local hospitals. The nurse identifies clients who are safe to recommend for discharge to make room for newly admitted clients. A client with acute asthma exacerbation may require treatment in the emergency department or hospitalization for oxygen, inhaled bronchodilators, and corticosteroids. The client can likely be discharged home when respiratory status has stabilized and continue the previous home regimen of inhaled bronchodilators and corticosteroids (Option B). (Option A) Clients who have received chemotherapy may be immunocompromised due to neutropenia. An immunocompromised client is at greater risk of sepsis from an infection. Close monitoring and antibiotic therapy are required. (Option C) Clients with diabetes may develop diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) during illness or infection. Features of DKA (eg, lethargy, abdominal pain, hyperglycemia, urine ketones) are a medical emergency. Untreated DKA may progress to loss of consciousness and coma. Treatment includes frequent laboratory monitoring and IV insulin, fluids, and potassium. (Option D) Clients with ulcerative colitis are at risk for developing toxic megacolon (ie, severe inflammatory colon distension). Symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, pain, and abdominal distension. Clients require close monitoring, nasogastric tube for decompression, IV fluids, and antibiotics. Emergency surgery may be required. Educational objective: In response to a local disaster, the nurse identifies clients who can be safely discharged to make room for newly admitted clients. A client with acute asthma exacerbation can be safely discharged home when respiratory status has stabilized.

The Nurse Receives News of a Local Mass Shooting