Question

A facility has been notified of a train derailment resulting in multiple clients experiencing life-threatening injuries, activating the external disaster plan. What action should a charge nurse in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) take?

A) Begin discharging stable PACU clients to create bed space for potential incoming critical patients.
B) Prepare the PACU for potential incoming casualties, ensuring equipment and supplies are readily available.
C) Coordinate with the cafeteria for meals and refreshments for PACU staff involved in the disaster response.
D) Initiate follow-up calls to the families of the current PACU patients to update them on the situation.

Answer 1

In response to a train derailment activating the external disaster plan, the charge nurse in the PACU should prepare for potential incoming casualties, discharge stable PACU clients to create bed space, and coordinate with the cafeteria for staff meals and refreshments.

Step-by-step explanation:

In response to a train derailment resulting in multiple clients experiencing life-threatening injuries, the charge nurse in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) should take the following action:

1. Prepare the PACU for potential incoming casualties, ensuring equipment and supplies are readily available. This includes verifying the availability of necessary medical equipment and supplies to provide immediate care to critically injured patients.
2. Begin discharging stable PACU clients to create bed space for potential incoming critical patients. By discharging stable patients, the charge nurse can create the necessary bed space for the potential influx of critical patients.
3. Coordinate with the cafeteria for meals and refreshments for PACU staff involved in the disaster response. Ensuring that staff members have access to meals and refreshments is important for maintaining their energy and well-being during the disaster response.