1
NCLEX PN Exam Bank Emergency
Preparedness and Role of the LPN
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Triage Systems and Mass Casualty Incident Response ................................... 2
Subtopic 2: Emergency Response Protocols and Communication Roles of the LPN ......... 10
Subtopic 3: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Isolation, and Decontamination
Protocols.................................................................................................................... 19
Subtopic 4: Evacuation, Surge Capacity, and Patient Prioritization During Disaster Events 27
Subtopic 5: Role of LPNs in Mass Casualty Incidents (MCIs) and Surge Capacity Response
.................................................................................................................................. 36
Subtopic 6: Community-Based Disaster Nursing and Vulnerable Populations ................. 44
Subtopic 7: Crisis Communication, Documentation, and Legal/Ethical Roles During
Emergencies............................................................................................................... 52
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Subtopic 1: Triage Systems and Mass Casualty Incident
Response
Question 1:
A patient arrives at the emergency scene during a mass casualty event with a respiratory
rate of 8, weak pulse, and no response to verbal stimuli. According to START triage, how
should this patient be classified?
A. Minor (Green)
B. Delayed (Yellow)
C. Immediate (Red)
D. Expectant (Black)
Correct Answer: D. Expectant (Black)
Rationale Explanation: In the START triage system, patients who are not breathing and do
not respond to repositioning of the airway, or who have very poor vital signs with no chance
of survival, are categorized as Expectant (Black), meaning care is delayed due to limited
resources.
Question 2:
Which action by the LPN during a disaster drill reflects proper understanding of triage
priority?
A. Attending to a patient with a sprained ankle
B. Monitoring a patient with respiratory distress
C. Helping relocate uninjured family members
D. Documenting property damage
Correct Answer: B. Monitoring a patient with respiratory distress
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Rationale Explanation: The LPN’s priority is to support immediate medical needs,
especially airway and breathing issues. Respiratory distress indicates a potentially life-
threatening condition.
Question 3:
In a community disaster, which of the following tasks falls within the LPN’s scope of
practice?
A. Providing basic wound care to survivors
B. Declaring patients deceased
C. Creating triage categories
D. Prescribing antibiotics for infections
Correct Answer: A. Providing basic wound care to survivors
Rationale Explanation: LPNs can provide direct patient care such as dressing wounds. They
cannot legally declare death or prescribe medications.
Question 4:
During a chemical spill, the LPN should prioritize which of the following?
A. Administering narcotics
B. Removing contaminated clothing
C. Giving oral hydration
D. Recording all patient names immediately
Correct Answer: B. Removing contaminated clothing
Rationale Explanation: The first step in decontamination is the removal of contaminated
clothing to reduce exposure and further contamination.
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Question 5:
A client arrives walking and alert with minor abrasions. What is the most appropriate triage
tag?
A. Green – Minor
B. Yellow – Delayed
C. Red – Immediate
D. Black – Expectant
Correct Answer: A. Green – Minor
Rationale Explanation: Ambulatory clients with minor injuries are categorized as "Minor"
and can wait for treatment.
Question 6:
Which principle is most important in a mass casualty triage scenario?
A. First come, first served
B. Greatest good for the greatest number
C. Most severely injured get treated first
D. Only children are prioritized
Correct Answer: B. Greatest good for the greatest number
Rationale Explanation: Triage aims to save the most lives by prioritizing patients who will
benefit most from immediate intervention.
Question 7:
An LPN is first on scene after a building collapse. What should the LPN do first?
A. Assess scene safety
B. Begin CPR on nearest person
NCLEX PN Exam Bank Emergency
Preparedness and Role of the LPN
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Triage Systems and Mass Casualty Incident Response ................................... 2
Subtopic 2: Emergency Response Protocols and Communication Roles of the LPN ......... 10
Subtopic 3: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Isolation, and Decontamination
Protocols.................................................................................................................... 19
Subtopic 4: Evacuation, Surge Capacity, and Patient Prioritization During Disaster Events 27
Subtopic 5: Role of LPNs in Mass Casualty Incidents (MCIs) and Surge Capacity Response
.................................................................................................................................. 36
Subtopic 6: Community-Based Disaster Nursing and Vulnerable Populations ................. 44
Subtopic 7: Crisis Communication, Documentation, and Legal/Ethical Roles During
Emergencies............................................................................................................... 52
, 2
Subtopic 1: Triage Systems and Mass Casualty Incident
Response
Question 1:
A patient arrives at the emergency scene during a mass casualty event with a respiratory
rate of 8, weak pulse, and no response to verbal stimuli. According to START triage, how
should this patient be classified?
A. Minor (Green)
B. Delayed (Yellow)
C. Immediate (Red)
D. Expectant (Black)
Correct Answer: D. Expectant (Black)
Rationale Explanation: In the START triage system, patients who are not breathing and do
not respond to repositioning of the airway, or who have very poor vital signs with no chance
of survival, are categorized as Expectant (Black), meaning care is delayed due to limited
resources.
Question 2:
Which action by the LPN during a disaster drill reflects proper understanding of triage
priority?
A. Attending to a patient with a sprained ankle
B. Monitoring a patient with respiratory distress
C. Helping relocate uninjured family members
D. Documenting property damage
Correct Answer: B. Monitoring a patient with respiratory distress
, 3
Rationale Explanation: The LPN’s priority is to support immediate medical needs,
especially airway and breathing issues. Respiratory distress indicates a potentially life-
threatening condition.
Question 3:
In a community disaster, which of the following tasks falls within the LPN’s scope of
practice?
A. Providing basic wound care to survivors
B. Declaring patients deceased
C. Creating triage categories
D. Prescribing antibiotics for infections
Correct Answer: A. Providing basic wound care to survivors
Rationale Explanation: LPNs can provide direct patient care such as dressing wounds. They
cannot legally declare death or prescribe medications.
Question 4:
During a chemical spill, the LPN should prioritize which of the following?
A. Administering narcotics
B. Removing contaminated clothing
C. Giving oral hydration
D. Recording all patient names immediately
Correct Answer: B. Removing contaminated clothing
Rationale Explanation: The first step in decontamination is the removal of contaminated
clothing to reduce exposure and further contamination.
, 4
Question 5:
A client arrives walking and alert with minor abrasions. What is the most appropriate triage
tag?
A. Green – Minor
B. Yellow – Delayed
C. Red – Immediate
D. Black – Expectant
Correct Answer: A. Green – Minor
Rationale Explanation: Ambulatory clients with minor injuries are categorized as "Minor"
and can wait for treatment.
Question 6:
Which principle is most important in a mass casualty triage scenario?
A. First come, first served
B. Greatest good for the greatest number
C. Most severely injured get treated first
D. Only children are prioritized
Correct Answer: B. Greatest good for the greatest number
Rationale Explanation: Triage aims to save the most lives by prioritizing patients who will
benefit most from immediate intervention.
Question 7:
An LPN is first on scene after a building collapse. What should the LPN do first?
A. Assess scene safety
B. Begin CPR on nearest person
