Final answer:
Nurses must discharge stable clients to accommodate disaster victims. Stable clients are those with vital signs within normal limits, able to perform daily activities, and do not require intensive hospital care. Examples include patients recovering from routine surgeries or those with stable chronic conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
When addressing a community disaster with multiple victims where hospital resources must be reallocated, the nurses must identify clients stable enough for discharge. In this scenario, stable clients can be defined as individuals whose vital signs are within normal limits, they have no acute distress, their pain is well-managed, they can perform activities of daily living independently or with minimal assistance, and they do not require complex or continuous medical monitoring that must be conducted in the hospital setting.
For example, clients who were admitted for routine surgeries and are now recovering well, or those who came in for minor treatments and have no complications can be considered for discharge. Additionally, patients with chronic conditions who are stable and have a documented plan for outpatient management or home care services in place can also be discharged to free up resources for the incoming disaster victims. The most critical factor here is ensuring that the discharged patients will not be at risk and will have the appropriate follow-up care and support once they leave the hospital.