Disaster Management Assignment Student Guidelines Pur 730859

Disaster Management Assignmentstudent Guidelinespurposedisasters Are

Disasters are catastrophic events that often result in extensive property damage and loss of life. Extreme devastation can occur from both man-made and natural disasters. Nurses play a major role in responding to disasters to help ensure the best possible outcomes. Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this activity, the learner will: 1. Understand the role of the Community Health nurse in disaster management. 2. Understand the principles of disaster management, including working within incident command structures. 3. Differentiate between the adult and pediatric triage algorithms (START and JumpSTART). 4. Apply triage algorithms to appropriately prioritize and treat victims. 5. Utilize principles of professional collaboration to assure for efficient and effective care of victims. 6. Utilize principles of professional collaboration to assure for efficient and effective care of victims.

Paper For Above instruction

Disaster management is a multidisciplinary approach essential for minimizing the impact of natural and man-made calamities. Nurses, especially those in community health, are pivotal in each phase of the disaster management cycle—preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation—providing critical care, leadership, and coordination. Their role encompasses pre-disaster planning, immediate on-site response, support for recovery efforts, and community education. Understanding the structure and function of the Incident Command System (ICS) is fundamental; ICS provides a standardized hierarchical structure that enables coordinated emergency response, ensuring actionable communication, resource allocation, and role clarity. It fosters efficient collaboration among various agencies and responders, streamlining disaster management protocols.

At a disaster site, priority activities include immediate assessment of casualties, rapid triage, life-saving interventions, and initial stabilization. Medical personnel prioritize airway management, hemorrhage control, and shock prevention, aligning with protocols outlined on pages 23-24 of the AAP article. Triage models like START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) serve as rapid assessment tools, ensuring victims are classified promptly based on their vital signs and responsiveness. The START triage process assesses airway, breathing, circulation, and mental status to categorize victims swiftly.

The difference between START and JumpSTART lies mainly in the pediatric triage approach. START is typically used for adults, emphasizing respiratory rate, perfusion, and mental status, whereas JumpSTART is designed for children, incorporating additional considerations for age-specific normal vital ranges. Colored codes such as red, yellow, green, and black further facilitate the rapid identification of patient priority levels: immediate, delayed, minor, and deceased, respectively.

First responders are trained to administer life-saving interventions such as airway management, control of bleeding, and ensuring adequate breathing. Delegating less critical tasks or "walking wounded" to bystanders or less trained personnel allows responders to focus on high-priority cases. During a disaster, mental health issues, including acute stress reactions and emotional trauma, are prevalent. Psychological First Aid (PFA) is a supportive intervention aimed at stabilizing individuals, reducing initial distress, and fostering a sense of safety. Nurses engaged in PFA should demonstrate empathetic communication, assess immediate needs, and connect victims with ongoing mental health resources.

In terms of nursing diagnoses related to psychological nursing care during disasters, priorities include Clinical Diagnoses such as Anxiety related to disaster exposure, Risk for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder due to trauma exposure, and Acute Stress Reaction characterized by hypervigilance and emotional distress. Implementing a holistic response that includes mental health support and educational interventions fosters resilience and recovery (American Nurses Association, 2020; Hobbs et al., 2017).

References

• American Nurses Association. (2020). Disaster Nursing: Preparedness and Response. ANA Publishing.
• Hobbs, B., Jaques, R., & Pollock, J. (2017). Mental health in disaster response: Strategies for nurses. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 43(2), 120-127.
• Association of Public Health Nurses. (n.d.). The Role of the Public Health Nurse in Disaster Preparedness and Response.
• Demarco, R., & Healey-Walsh, K. (2018). Chapter 20: Bioterrorism. In Disaster Nursing and Emergency Preparedness (pp. 458-473).
• ATI. (2022). Chapters 2 & 6: Disaster Response and Triage Algorithms.
• Class PowerPoint Presentation on Disasters. (2023).
• Review on Triage Algorithm. (2023).
• World Health Organization. (2018). Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings.
• American Red Cross. (2019). Disaster Preparedness and Response Manual.
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2021). Framework for Disaster Nursing and Emergency Preparedness.