Final answer:
The nurse should start gathering general supplies likely to be needed for treating the incoming patients from the car accident. Coordination with the emergency department staff is key for efficient treatment, and in cases of severe bleeding and unknown blood type, O negative blood is transfused.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a nurse in an emergency department is informed that patients from a car accident are on their way, the appropriate response would be to start gathering general supplies that might be needed. This action prepares the nurse for a variety of possible scenarios without making assumptions about the specific injuries or conditions that the patients may present with upon arrival.
Prior to the patients' arrival, the emergency department staff, including the surgeon, nurse, anesthetic professional, and other personnel, should perform a quick review of anticipated critical events based on the information available from the ambulance. This includes confirming the readiness of equipment, patient identity, surgical sites if necessary, and reviewing the procedures anticipated.
In the scenario given, where a patient is rushed to the emergency department following a motor vehicle accident with multiple traumatic injuries and severe bleeding, the emergency staff would transfuse O negative blood. This is because O negative blood is considered the universal donor type and can be safely given to patients of any blood type in emergency situations where there is no time to determine the patient's blood type.