Final answer:
The 8-year-old client with a 2-inch laceration and a bloody nose, not exhibiting severe blood loss or vital signs compromise, should be placed in a lower priority triage category, likely yellow or green, indicating delayed treatment or minor injuries.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a triage situation following an earthquake disaster, a nurse would need to categorize patients based on the severity of their injuries and the immediacy of their need for medical attention. In the case of the 8-year-old client with a 2-inch laceration to the lower extremity with little blood loss and a bloody nose, the nurse should assign this client to a lower priority category. This is because the injuries described are not immediately life-threatening and can likely be addressed after more critical cases.
Categories of triage typically include immediate or red (life-threatening injuries requiring immediate attention), delayed or yellow (injuries that are serious but not immediately life-threatening), minimal or green (minor injuries), and expectant or black (injuries that are beyond the current capability to treat).
In the scenario presented, if the child does not show symptoms of severe blood loss or compromised vital signs, they would likely be placed in the yellow or green category, indicating either delayed treatment or minor injuries, respectively. The nurse should continuously reassess the situation in case the client's condition changes.