Question

A nurse is interviewing a client who is now without a home due to a natural disaster. After ensuring the client's safety, what's the nurse's first action?

A. Assess the client's physical health.
B. Discuss the client's emotional state.
C. Provide information on available resources.
D. Develop a plan for long-term housing.

Answer 1

The first action a nurse should take after ensuring a client's safety in a disaster situation is to assess the client's physical health. This step is essential for addressing urgent medical needs and sets the foundation for supporting the individual's overall recovery and wellbeing.

Step-by-step explanation:

After ensuring the client's safety following a disaster, the nurse's first action should be to Assess the client's physical health. This is crucial as injuries or immediate health concerns need to be addressed before any other needs. Once the client's physical health is assessed and any urgent medical needs are met, the other aspects, such as emotional support, information on resources, and long-term housing, can be addressed in sequence.

Disaster situations can lead to increased stress, impact on mental health, and challenges in transition to housing and community reintegration. Addressing the physical health first provides a foundation for supporting the individual's overall recovery and wellbeing, taking into consideration insights from participatory studies that emphasize comprehensive services beyond immediate physical care.