Question

The emergency room is flooded with clients injured in a tornado. Which clients can be assigned to share a room in the emergency department during the disaster?

A. A schizophrenic client having visual and auditory hallucinations and the client with ulcerative colitis
B. The client who is 6 months pregnant with abdominal pain and the client with facial lacerations and a broken arm
C. A child whose pupils are fixed and dilated and his parents, and a client with a frontal head injury
D. The client who arrives with a large puncture wound to the abdomen and the client with chest pain

Answer 1

The most appropriate choice for room sharing in the emergency room during a tornado disaster would be a pregnant client and a client with facial and arm injuries, as they do not pose cross-infection risks.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the scenario where an emergency room is overwhelmed due to a tornado, it is crucial to prioritize patient safety and infection control while also considering the mental and physical conditions of the clients when assigning them to share a room. Option B: The client who is 6 months pregnant with abdominal pain and the client with facial lacerations and a broken arm could likely share a room as these conditions do not pose an immediate cross-infection risk and the clients' conditions are physically compatible in terms of space and care requirements.