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Outbreak of scabies in a local area. What should an RN do first?

a) Administer over-the-counter antihistamines to affected individuals
b) Isolate infected individuals and start treatment
c) Conduct a community-wide education program on personal hygiene
d) Report the outbreak to the local health department

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The first action an RN should take during an outbreak of scabies is to report the outbreak to the local health department. This is followed by isolation, treatment of infected individuals, community education, and ensuring rigorous disinfection and safety protocols are in place.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the case of a scabies outbreak, the first action an RN (Registered Nurse) should take is to report the outbreak to the local health department. Reporting is crucial for the health department to monitor the spread, provide resources, and to guide measures to contain the outbreak. After reporting, the RN will likely be involved in the subsequent steps including isolating infected individuals, starting appropriate treatment, and possibly conducting community education on prevention and personal hygiene practices such as rigorous handwashing. Efforts to disinfect contaminated areas and ensure the safety of both healthcare providers and patients by using personal protective equipment (PPE) and following infection control protocols would follow accordingly.

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