Disasters and Biological Warfare

Flashcards covering key concepts related to disasters, biological warfare, and coping strategies for healthcare professionals and patients.

Unintentional Natural Disasters

Events such as hurricanes, floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, and wildfires that occur without human intervention.

Man-Made Disasters

Incidents such as nuclear power plant accidents and chemical spills that result from human activities.

Biological Warfare

The intentional use of biological agents to cause illness, death, or disruption, typically for military or terrorist purposes.

Anthrax

An infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which can infect humans through deliberate exposure.

Decontamination

The process of removing or neutralizing hazardous substances from patients to prevent harm.

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment required by OSHA, with levels A (highest) through D (standard).

Fit Test Respirator

A test for ensuring that respiratory protective equipment, such as N95 to P100, fits correctly.

Coping Strategies for Nurses (During Events)

Methods such as buddy systems, scheduled breaks, and peer support to manage stress during crises.

Coping Strategies for Patients (After Events)

Approaches like grief counseling, community support groups, and rebuilding routines to assist recovery.

Mental Health Issues

Psychological distress conditions that can arise in nurses and patients, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

Level A

This type of protection is worn when the highest level of respiratory, skin, eye, and mucous membrane protection is required. This includes a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and a fully encapsulating, vapor-tight, chemical-resistant suit with chemical-resistant gloves and boots.

Level B

This type of protection requires the highest level of respiratory protection but a lesser level of skin and eye protection than with level A situations. This level of protection includes the SCBA and a chemical-resistant suit, but the suit is not vapor tight.

Level C

This type of protection requires an air-purified respirator (N95), which uses filters or sorbent materials to remove harmful substances from the air. A chemical-resistant coverall with splash hood, chemical-resistant gloves, and boots are included in level C protection.

Level D

This type of protection is the typical work uniform and is used for nuisance contamination only; it does not provide adequate protection in cases in which respiratory or skin threats are present. Other PPE such as gloves, mask and gown may be required based on the situation.

Contact Precautions

DISEASE SPREADS BY CONTACT = TOUCH - KISS - SEX - OBJECT - SURFACES - UNWASHED HANDS OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS.PPE – gloves & gown​

• Patient room placement: private room or cohort​

• Limit patient transport​​​

• MDRO’s = Multidrug Resistant Organisms​

• methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ​

• vancomycin resistant enterococcus (VRE)​

• extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)​

• Clostridium difficile (C-Diff) ​

• THIS REQUIRES HAND WASHING WITH SOAP & WATER AS WELL AS DISINFECTING WITH BLEACH WIPES FOR SURFACES & EQUIPMENT.​​

Droplet Precautions

These are applied when a disease spreads through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. This includes the use of surgical masks, eye protection, and often limiting patient transport. Influenza (flu), German Measles (Rubella), Pertussis (whooping cough)Meningitis, Mumps, Streptococcus (strep throat)​

Airborne Precautions

These are necessary when diseases are transmitted through airborne particles that remain suspended in the air for long periods. This requires N95 respirators or higher-level protection, and patient placement in a negative pressure room is often needed. Examples include Tuberculosis, Measles(Rubeola), Chickenpox, Covid, SARS, and herpes zoster.