Choose One Of The Following Natural Disasters—Hurricanes, Ea ✓ Solved

Choose one of the following natural disasters—hurricanes, ea

Choose one of the following natural disasters—hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, or wildfires—and answer the following: What are some of the nursing implications of this disaster? What diseases do you need to be concerned about and how would you protect yourself and others? Be specific. In your discussion with peers, help one another think of additional plans and processes to help in the disaster. You must respond to at least one peer who chose a different disaster. Support your answer with evidence from scholarly sources.

Paper For Above Instructions

Overview and selection

This paper focuses on wildfires as the chosen natural disaster and examines nursing implications, disease risks, specific protective measures for nurses and communities, and additional planning and processes to support disaster response. Wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity in many regions and present complex clinical, public health, and logistical challenges for nursing teams and healthcare systems (Reid et al., 2016; Johnston et al., 2012).

Nursing implications during wildfire events

Nurses play multiple roles during wildfires: first responders at evacuation shelters, triage and acute care in emergency departments, chronic disease management for displaced populations, occupational safety for healthcare workers, public health education, and coordination with interprofessional teams (ICN, 2019). Clinically, common presentations include acute respiratory distress, exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular events (e.g., ischemia, arrhythmias), burns, trauma from evacuation or debris, and mental health crises such as acute stress and exacerbation of anxiety or PTSD (Reid et al., 2016; Liu et al., 2015). Logistically, nurses must manage medication continuity (insulin, inhalers, cardiac meds), maintain infection control in congregate shelters, document care during high-volume surges, and assist with public health surveillance and case reporting (FEMA, 2020).

Diseases and health conditions of particular concern

Primary health concerns from wildfires fall into three categories: (1) air-quality-related illnesses, (2) direct injury and wound-related infections, and (3) secondary infectious disease risks in shelters or from environmental contamination.

  • Air-quality-related illnesses: Wildfire smoke contains particulate matter (PM2.5), volatile organic compounds, and other combustion products that increase risks of acute exacerbations of asthma and COPD, acute bronchitis, and increased cardiovascular events and mortality (Reid et al., 2016; EPA, 2022). Short-term exposure is associated with increased emergency visits and hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular conditions (Johnston et al., 2012).
  • Burns and traumatic wounds: Patients with burns are at risk for wound infection, sepsis, and tetanus if immunizations are incomplete (FEMA, 2020). Environmental contamination (soil, debris) increases risk of bacterial wound infections including Staphylococcus aureus and polymicrobial contamination.
  • Secondary infectious risks in shelters: Congregate living increases risk for respiratory infections (influenza, SARS-CoV-2), gastrointestinal outbreaks if water or sanitation is compromised, and for fungal exposures such as mold after firefighting and cleanup that can exacerbate respiratory disease (CDC Mold After Disaster, 2019).

Specific protective strategies for nurses and communities

Protection must be multi-layered: personal protective equipment (PPE), clinical protocols, environmental controls, vaccination and prophylaxis measures, and community education.

Personal protective equipment and exposure control

Nurses and responders should use appropriately fitted respiratory protection when smoke concentrations are elevated. For wildfire smoke, N95 or higher-efficiency respirators (e.g., NIOSH-certified N95 or P100) that are fit-tested provide meaningful reduction in PM2.5 inhalation for healthcare workers in high-smoke environments (CDC, 2023; EPA, 2022). Eye protection helps reduce irritation. When providing care for burns or wounds, standard precautions with gloves, gowns, and eye protection should be used to prevent contamination and bloodborne exposures (CDC, 2020).

Clinical management and infection prevention

For respiratory illness management, nurses should follow evidence-based triage: assess oxygenation, apply supplemental oxygen as indicated, use bronchodilators and corticosteroids for asthma/COPD exacerbations, and arrange timely referrals for severe illness (Reid et al., 2016). For wounds and burns, ensure tetanus vaccination status is current and provide wound cleaning, debridement, and appropriate antibiotic therapy for suspected infection (CDC Tetanus, 2021). In shelters, implement infection prevention: symptomatic screening, masking when indicated, hand hygiene stations, cohorting, and vaccination campaigns (influenza, COVID-19) when feasible to reduce transmission (FEMA; CDC guidance).

Environmental and engineering controls

Promote use of HEPA-grade air cleaners in shelters and clinical spaces to reduce indoor PM2.5 (EPA, 2022). When generators are used, educate about carbon monoxide (CO) risks: use CO detectors and ventilate appropriately. Advise communities to follow air-quality advisories and to “shelter in place” with windows closed and recirculating HVAC when outdoor air is hazardous (WHO, 2021).

Psychological support and continuity of care

Nurses should screen for acute stress reactions, provide psychological first aid, and refer to mental health services. Ensure continuity of care by helping patients access medication refills, chronic disease monitoring (e.g., glucose logs), and secure medical records when possible (ICN, 2019).

Planning, processes, and collaboration suggestions for peer discussions

Additional processes to enhance response include: establishing pre-identified evacuation and shelter plans tailored to patients with special needs; maintaining a registry of patients dependent on electricity or medical devices; cross-training staff for surge capacity; pre-positioning PPE and oxygen supplies; creating interoperable communication channels with public health and emergency management; and instituting real-time syndromic surveillance in shelters to detect respiratory or gastrointestinal outbreaks early (FEMA, CDC). Tabletop exercises that simulate wildfire scenarios help clarify roles and identify supply chain vulnerabilities.

Summary and recommended action list for nurses

Key actionable recommendations for nursing teams during wildfire events are:

  1. Use fit-tested N95/P100 respirators and eye protection when smoke exposure is significant (CDC, 2023).
  2. Prioritize oxygen therapy and evidence-based management for smoke-related respiratory and cardiac events (Reid et al., 2016).
  3. Ensure tetanus immunization for patients with wounds and proper wound-care protocols (CDC Tetanus, 2021).
  4. Implement infection prevention and vaccination campaigns in shelters to reduce secondary outbreaks (FEMA; CDC).
  5. Apply engineering controls (HEPA filters, CO detectors) in shelters and clinical spaces (EPA, 2022).
  6. Provide psychological first aid and link patients to mental health resources (ICN, 2019).
  7. Engage in interagency planning, maintain medication continuity strategies, and run preparedness drills.

Conclusion

Wildfires create an environment of acute respiratory risk, trauma, and public health complexity. Nurses are central to acute care, prevention, education, and coordination. Protecting nurses and the populations they serve requires specific PPE (respirators, eye protection), vaccination and wound‑care protocols, environmental controls, and robust planning and interprofessional collaboration. Evidence from environmental health and disaster response literature supports these targeted actions to reduce morbidity and mortality during wildfire events (Reid et al., 2016; Johnston et al., 2012; CDC, 2023).

References

  • Reid CE, Brauer M, Johnston FH, Jerrett M, Balmes JR, Elliott CT. Critical Review of Health Impacts of Wildfire Smoke Exposure. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2016;124(9):1334-1343. doi:10.1289/EHP1392.
  • Johnston FH, et al. Estimated global mortality attributable to smoke from landscape fires. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2012;120(5):695-701. doi:10.1289/ehp.1104422.
  • Liu JC, Wilson A, Mickley L, et al. Wildfire smoke exposure and human health: Significant gaps and opportunities for research. Environmental Research. 2015;136:169-176. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2014.12.054.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Wildfire Smoke: Prepare and Protect Yourself. CDC. 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/wildfires/smoke.html
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Wildfire Smoke and Your Health. EPA. 2022. https://www.epa.gov/wildfire-smoke-course
  • World Health Organization (WHO). Ambient (outdoor) air quality and health. WHO. 2021. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Mold After a Disaster. 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/index.html
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Tetanus: For Healthcare Professionals. 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/tetanus/hcp/index.html
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Wildfire Safety and Recovery Guidance. FEMA. 2020. https://www.fema.gov/disaster/wildfires
  • International Council of Nurses (ICN). Nursing in Disasters: Competencies and Guidance for Practice. ICN. 2019. https://www.icn.ch/sites/default/files/inline-files/ICN%20Disaster%20Nursing%20Competencies.pdf

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