HESI Study Guide - LCON - Transition Into Professional
Nursing Exam With Accurate Answers
Three levels of disaster management - ANSWER Disaster Preparedness
Disaster Response
Disaster Recovery
Levels of prevention in disaster management - ANSWER Primary - Develop plan,
train and educate personnel and public
Secondary - Triage, treatment-shelter supervision,
Tertiary - Follow-up, recovery assistance, prevention of future disasters
Bioterrorism agents - ANSWER Anthrax
Pneumonic plague
Botulism
Smallpox
Inhalation tularemia
Viral hemorrhagic fever
Ricin
Sarin
Radiation
Triage - ANSWER -to sort or categorize
-goal is to maximize the number of survivors by sorting the injured according to
treatable and untreatable victims
-primary criteria is potential for survival and availability of resources
Nursing interventions and roles in triage - ANSWER -triage duties using a
systematic approach (simple triage and rapid treatment - START)
-treatment of injuries (render first aid for injuries and provide additional
treatment as needed in definitive care areas)
-treatment of other conditions, incl. mental health (determine other needs, refer
for medical treatment as needed, provide for other conditions based on
medically approved protocols).
Shelter supervision - ANSWER -coordinate activities of shelter workers
-oversee records of victims admitted and discharged from shelter
,-promote effective interpersonal and group interactions among victims in
shelter
-promote independence and involvement of victims housed in the shelter
Triage color code system - ANSWER Red - most urgent, first priority, life-
threatening injuries, no delay in treatment
Yellow - urgent, second priority, injuries with systemic effects and
complications, can delay 30-60 mins.
Green - third priority, minimal injuries with no systemic complications, several
hours delay is acceptable.
Black - Dying or dead, catastrophic injuries, no hope for survival, no treatment.
Biologic agents of bioterrorism - ANSWER -anthrax
-pneumonic plague
-botulism
-smallpox
-inhalation tularemia
-viral hemorrhagic fever
Chemical agents of bioterrorism - ANSWER -biotoxin agents (ricin)
-nerve agents (sarin)
Ebola - ANSWER -spread by direct contact with blood or body fluids of a person
ill with or who has died from Ebola, or a person who has contact with objects like
needles that have been contaminated with the virus
-CDC - Travelers from Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leon should be monitored for 21
days after returning
Recommended Infection Control Measures for Ebola - ANSWER Client
placement - single room, private bathroom
Providers - gloves, gown (fluid resisted or impermeable), shoe covers, eye
protection, face mask
Aerosol-generating procedures - add N95 and in airborne isolation room
Environmental infection control - diligent cleaning, disinfection, safe handling of
potentially contaminated materials is paramount. Bleach, hospital- grade
quaternary ammonium, or phenolic products.
Nursing interventions for Ebola - ANSWER -thorough history (including recent
travel)
,-use PPE
-monitor vitals
-strict isolation for 21 days with CDC & state recommended isolation
If exposed, only contagious after the start of symptoms.
Neither ethnic nor racial backgrounds have anything to do with becoming
infected.
Zika virus - ANSWER -reports of microcephaly in babies of mothers who had
Zika virus while pregnant
-travel to areas where Zika is spreading is not recommended for pregnant
women in any trimester
-sexual transmission is possible
-men and women should strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites while
traveling
-virus remains in blood of infected person approximately 1 week.
Anthrax agent - ANSWER -Bacillus anthraces
-bacterium that forms spores
Three types
-cutaneous
-inhalation
-digestive
Anthrax transmission - ANSWER -inhalation of powder form
-inhalation of spores from infected animal products (wool)
-handling of infected animals
-eating undercooked meat from infected animals
-not spreadable from person to person
Anthrax incubation period - ANSWER -within 7 days
-inhalation incubation is extended to 42 days
Anthrax signs and symptoms - ANSWER -cutaneous sores that develop into
painless blisters, then ulcers with black centers
-gastrointestinal: nausea, anorexia, bloody diarrhea, fever; severe stomach pain
-inhalation: cold and flu symptoms, including sore throat, mild fever, muscle
aches, cough, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, tiredness, muscle aches
Anthrax treatment - ANSWER -prevention after exposure consists of the use of
antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, or penicillin, and vaccination
-treatment after infection is usually a 60-day course of antibiotics
, -success of treatment after infection depends on the type of anthrax and how
soon the treatment begins
-vaccine available, but not to the general public: given to those who may be
exposed, such as certain members of the US armed forces, laboratory workers,
and workers who enter or reenter contaminated areas.
Pneumonic plague agent - ANSWER -Yersinia pestis
-bacterium found in rodents and their fleas
Pneumonic plague transmission - ANSWER -aerosol release into the
environment
-respiratory droplets from an infected person (6ft range)
-untreated bubonic plague sequelae
Pneumonic plague incubation - ANSWER 1-6 days
Signs and symptoms of pneumonic plague - ANSWER -fever
-weakness
-rapidly devoting pneumonia
-bloody or water sputum
-nausea, vomiting
-abdominal pain
-without early treatment, will see shock, respiratory failure, and rapid death
Pneumonic plague treatment - ANSWER -if close contact with an infected person
and within 7 days of exposure, treatment is with antibiotics prophylactically
-recommended antibiotic treatment within 24 hours of first symptom, treat for at
least 7 days
oral - tetracyclines, fluoroquinolone
IV - streptomycin or gentamycin
Pneumonic plague miscellaneous - ANSWER -easily destroyed by sunlight and
drying
-in air, can survive up to 1 hour
-no vaccine available
Botulism - ANSWER -Clostridium botulinum
-toxin made by a bacterium
-no vaccine available
Botulism transmission - ANSWER Food - a person ingests preformed toxin
Wound - infection by C. botulinum that secretes the toxin
Nursing Exam With Accurate Answers
Three levels of disaster management - ANSWER Disaster Preparedness
Disaster Response
Disaster Recovery
Levels of prevention in disaster management - ANSWER Primary - Develop plan,
train and educate personnel and public
Secondary - Triage, treatment-shelter supervision,
Tertiary - Follow-up, recovery assistance, prevention of future disasters
Bioterrorism agents - ANSWER Anthrax
Pneumonic plague
Botulism
Smallpox
Inhalation tularemia
Viral hemorrhagic fever
Ricin
Sarin
Radiation
Triage - ANSWER -to sort or categorize
-goal is to maximize the number of survivors by sorting the injured according to
treatable and untreatable victims
-primary criteria is potential for survival and availability of resources
Nursing interventions and roles in triage - ANSWER -triage duties using a
systematic approach (simple triage and rapid treatment - START)
-treatment of injuries (render first aid for injuries and provide additional
treatment as needed in definitive care areas)
-treatment of other conditions, incl. mental health (determine other needs, refer
for medical treatment as needed, provide for other conditions based on
medically approved protocols).
Shelter supervision - ANSWER -coordinate activities of shelter workers
-oversee records of victims admitted and discharged from shelter
,-promote effective interpersonal and group interactions among victims in
shelter
-promote independence and involvement of victims housed in the shelter
Triage color code system - ANSWER Red - most urgent, first priority, life-
threatening injuries, no delay in treatment
Yellow - urgent, second priority, injuries with systemic effects and
complications, can delay 30-60 mins.
Green - third priority, minimal injuries with no systemic complications, several
hours delay is acceptable.
Black - Dying or dead, catastrophic injuries, no hope for survival, no treatment.
Biologic agents of bioterrorism - ANSWER -anthrax
-pneumonic plague
-botulism
-smallpox
-inhalation tularemia
-viral hemorrhagic fever
Chemical agents of bioterrorism - ANSWER -biotoxin agents (ricin)
-nerve agents (sarin)
Ebola - ANSWER -spread by direct contact with blood or body fluids of a person
ill with or who has died from Ebola, or a person who has contact with objects like
needles that have been contaminated with the virus
-CDC - Travelers from Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leon should be monitored for 21
days after returning
Recommended Infection Control Measures for Ebola - ANSWER Client
placement - single room, private bathroom
Providers - gloves, gown (fluid resisted or impermeable), shoe covers, eye
protection, face mask
Aerosol-generating procedures - add N95 and in airborne isolation room
Environmental infection control - diligent cleaning, disinfection, safe handling of
potentially contaminated materials is paramount. Bleach, hospital- grade
quaternary ammonium, or phenolic products.
Nursing interventions for Ebola - ANSWER -thorough history (including recent
travel)
,-use PPE
-monitor vitals
-strict isolation for 21 days with CDC & state recommended isolation
If exposed, only contagious after the start of symptoms.
Neither ethnic nor racial backgrounds have anything to do with becoming
infected.
Zika virus - ANSWER -reports of microcephaly in babies of mothers who had
Zika virus while pregnant
-travel to areas where Zika is spreading is not recommended for pregnant
women in any trimester
-sexual transmission is possible
-men and women should strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites while
traveling
-virus remains in blood of infected person approximately 1 week.
Anthrax agent - ANSWER -Bacillus anthraces
-bacterium that forms spores
Three types
-cutaneous
-inhalation
-digestive
Anthrax transmission - ANSWER -inhalation of powder form
-inhalation of spores from infected animal products (wool)
-handling of infected animals
-eating undercooked meat from infected animals
-not spreadable from person to person
Anthrax incubation period - ANSWER -within 7 days
-inhalation incubation is extended to 42 days
Anthrax signs and symptoms - ANSWER -cutaneous sores that develop into
painless blisters, then ulcers with black centers
-gastrointestinal: nausea, anorexia, bloody diarrhea, fever; severe stomach pain
-inhalation: cold and flu symptoms, including sore throat, mild fever, muscle
aches, cough, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, tiredness, muscle aches
Anthrax treatment - ANSWER -prevention after exposure consists of the use of
antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, or penicillin, and vaccination
-treatment after infection is usually a 60-day course of antibiotics
, -success of treatment after infection depends on the type of anthrax and how
soon the treatment begins
-vaccine available, but not to the general public: given to those who may be
exposed, such as certain members of the US armed forces, laboratory workers,
and workers who enter or reenter contaminated areas.
Pneumonic plague agent - ANSWER -Yersinia pestis
-bacterium found in rodents and their fleas
Pneumonic plague transmission - ANSWER -aerosol release into the
environment
-respiratory droplets from an infected person (6ft range)
-untreated bubonic plague sequelae
Pneumonic plague incubation - ANSWER 1-6 days
Signs and symptoms of pneumonic plague - ANSWER -fever
-weakness
-rapidly devoting pneumonia
-bloody or water sputum
-nausea, vomiting
-abdominal pain
-without early treatment, will see shock, respiratory failure, and rapid death
Pneumonic plague treatment - ANSWER -if close contact with an infected person
and within 7 days of exposure, treatment is with antibiotics prophylactically
-recommended antibiotic treatment within 24 hours of first symptom, treat for at
least 7 days
oral - tetracyclines, fluoroquinolone
IV - streptomycin or gentamycin
Pneumonic plague miscellaneous - ANSWER -easily destroyed by sunlight and
drying
-in air, can survive up to 1 hour
-no vaccine available
Botulism - ANSWER -Clostridium botulinum
-toxin made by a bacterium
-no vaccine available
Botulism transmission - ANSWER Food - a person ingests preformed toxin
Wound - infection by C. botulinum that secretes the toxin
