Question

An F2 tornado touches down on the edge of Johnson County without much advance warning from the National Weather Service. The Johnson County disaster preparedness plan is implemented, but it has not been tested for over 3 years. There seems to be some confusion at the command center on who may be in charge due to changes in personnel since the last test of the disaster preparedness plan. Nurse Judy and nursing student Madison arrive at the command center to volunteer, but they have to wait for some time to receive their assignment.

Nurse Judy and nursing student Madison, who are volunteering in the aftermath of a tornado, arrive at their assigned disaster post. This is the first of several homes the nurses will visit; the scene has already been cleared by the fire department. Upon arrival, they find two victims in the destroyed home: Chelsea Pratt, a 16-year-old female, and her mother, Rosalie Pratt, a 45-year-old female, both lying on the floor. Madison becomes upset upon seeing Chelsea’s wound; she appears to be dead. Judy stays calm and manages the situation, reminding Madison of what she learned in community health class, and assesses Chelsea while Madison assesses Rosalie. Unfortunately, Chelsea has died. When the mother, Rosalie, hears this, she becomes distraught.

Questions for students:

1. What are the main components of a disaster plan?
2. What are the phases of disaster management?
3. Who implements a community disaster plan? How often should a community disaster plan be reviewed and tested?
4. What are the differences between natural and man-made disasters?
5. How would you address the confusion at the incident command center?
6. What safety factors were considered by Judy before beginning the assessment? What ethical issues were present in this scenario?
7. What is the priority therapeutic communication by Judy in relation to Madison?

Answer 1

1. Main component are mitigation (activities that can present), preparedness ( how to take the situation or preparation) , response ( if disaster occurs, response to the immediate situation) , recovery (what will be the future and further instruction).

2. Planning and preparation is necessary for the disaster management. If disaster occurs need to follow the component for the management for such crisis.

3. Community disaster plan is implemented by community officers plans should be tested by 1 yearbut need to review at least 6 month.

4. Natural disaster by natural forces i.e , floods , earthquake, manmade as causing by man i.e , gas explasion.