Disaster Nursing Competencies

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Questions and Answers

Which of these are key goals of disaster nursing? (Select all that apply)

To promote the optimal quality of life for survivors, taking into account cultural and religious differences. (correct)

To predict the precise date and location of future calamities.

To equip survivors with the means to participate in and advocate for their own health and well-being. (correct)

To establish a completely uniform healthcare system across all disaster-stricken regions.

What is a key principle of disaster nursing that involves making the most impactful decisions?

Employing utilitarian principles, which means maximizing the benefit for the most people with minimal harm. (correct)

Utilizing all available resources regardless of their effectiveness or potential risks.

Prioritizing the needs of family members over community needs in all situations.

Focusing solely on individual patient needs, even if it means neglecting others in need.

In disaster nursing, what is the importance of assessing and reducing environmental health risks?

To prevent further harm or disease outbreaks in the affected area. (correct)

To provide immediate psychological support to all disaster victims.

To ensure that all disaster victims are treated equally, regardless of their location.

To establish a permanent medical facility in the disaster zone.

Which of these is NOT a core principle of disaster nursing?

Developing innovative medical treatments for every disaster-related injury. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of the ICN Framework of Disaster Nursing Version 2.0?

To enhance disaster preparedness, mitigate risks, and improve the overall response and recovery efforts in the face of disasters. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'utilitarian principles' refer to in the context of disaster nursing?

Employing resources in a way that maximizes benefit to the greatest number of people, minimizing harm. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement BEST describes the core competency of leadership in disaster nursing?

Leading the coordination of patient triage, treatment, and transportation during crises. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the 'Delivery of comprehension, empathy, and emotional assistance' principle in disaster nursing?

Offering victims and their families understanding, compassion, and emotional support. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does 'competence' refer to in the context of health professions?

The knowledge needed to perform tasks safely and consistently (B) Signup and view all the answers

Who defines competence as "a level of performance demonstrating the effective application of knowledge, skill and judgment"?

International Council of Nurses (A) Signup and view all the answers

According to the provided definitions, which aspect is the most significant factor in determining whether an event qualifies as a disaster?

The community's ability to cope with the event (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which organization defines a disaster as an event causing "unprecedented levels of damage and loss in agriculture around the world"?

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of nurses in disaster situations, as defined by the ICN and WHO?

Serving as first responders, triage officers, care providers, and more (A) Signup and view all the answers

According to Gibbie and Gill (2004), what are "competencies" in the context of work?

The ability to apply knowledge and skills effectively in a work setting (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a role nurses play in disaster situations?

Emergency surgery performers (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one key difference in the definitions of disaster offered by various organizations?

The specific type of event that qualifies as a disaster (A) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Disaster Nursing Learning Outcomes

Understand the role of nurses in disaster situations
Identify levels of nursing competencies in disaster situations
Familiarize with core competencies and domains in disaster nursing
Apply ethical principles in disaster nursing

Disaster Nursing Definition

World Health Organization: A serious disruption of community or society functioning, causing widespread human, material, economic, or environmental losses exceeding the community's ability to cope using its own resources.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies: A sudden, calamitous event that seriously disrupts community or society functioning, causing human, material, and economic or environmental losses exceeding the community's or society's ability to cope using its own resources.
United Nations: The occurrence of sudden or major misfortune which disrupts the basic fabric and normal functioning of society or community.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: A serious disruption to the functioning of a community or society, where disasters are producing unprecedented levels of damage and loss in agriculture around the world.

Disaster Nursing Goals

Address urgent fundamental survival requirements of communities impacted by catastrophes
Ascertain likelihood of subsequent calamity
Evaluate dangers and resources within environment
Rectify disparities in access to healthcare or suitable resources
Enable survivors to engage in and advocate for their own health and well-being
Respect cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity among people and families
Enhance optimal quality of life for survivors

Principles of Disaster Nursing

Prompt assessment of the situation and nursing care need
Prioritize triage and start lifesaving interventions immediately
Deliberate use of important nursing interventions and reduced nonessential nursing responsibilities
Modification of essential nursing competencies for disaster and emergency scenarios
Assess environment and reduce/eliminate health risks
Prevent further harm or disease
Lead coordination of patient triage, treatment, and transport during crises
Train, deploy, and oversee auxiliary medical staff and volunteers
Provide compassion, empathy and emotional support to victims and their families

ICN Framework of Disaster Nursing (Version 2.0 of 2019)

Aims to enhance disaster preparedness, mitigate risks, and improve overall response and recovery efforts in the face of disasters, contributing to the safety and well-being of communities
Effective disaster nursing requires clinical competency and the application of utilitarian principles (doing the greatest good for the greatest number with the least amount of harm).

Three Levels of Nursing Competencies in Disaster Situations

General Professional Nurse (Level I): Completed a basic, generalized nursing education program, authorized to practice by the regulatory agency of their country
Advanced or Specialized Nurse (Level II): Achieved Level I competencies, designated disaster responder within an institution, organization, or system.
Advanced Nursing Practice - Specialist in Disasters (Level III): Achieved Level I and II competencies, prepared to respond to a wide range of disasters, and serve on a deployable team.

Eight Domains of Disaster Nursing Competencies

Preparation and planning: Actions taken to increase readiness and confidence for disaster response.
Communication: Approaches to conveying essential information and documenting decisions.
Incident management systems: The structure for disaster/emergency response.
Safety and Security: Ensuring nurses, colleagues, and patients do not add to the response burden through unsafe practices.
Assessment: Gathering data on patients, families, and communities for actions.
Intervention: Clinical or other actions taken in response to assessment.
Recovery: Steps taken to resume pre-event functioning.
Law and Ethics: Legal and ethical framework for disaster nursing.

Domains 1-5 Detailed Information

This section provides further details on the first five domains in a table-like format (without using tables)*
Domain 1: Preparation and planning involves maintaining preparedness plans, engaging in drills, and possessing up-to-date knowledge of available emergency resources, plans, policies, and procedures ensuring continuity.
Domain 2: Communication in disaster settings requires accurate use of disaster terminology and timely transmission of priority information. It entails use of multi-lingual resources and adapting communication to the needs of vulnerable populations.
Domain 3: Incident management systems involve understanding the organisational structure of disaster response, contributing to observations and experiences that help improve the system in future events.
Domain 4: Safety and Security must prioritise the safety of patients, family members, colleagues, and oneself during disaster actions.
Domain 5: Assessment involves rapidly evaluating the physical and mental well-being of patients and families, while continually monitoring their needs during disasters and documenting crucial information.

Further Reference Information

Core Competencies in Disaster Nursing Version 2.0, International Council of Nurses, 2019
Core Competencies in Disaster Nurses: Competencies for Nurses Involved in Emergency Medical Teams (Level III), 2022

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Description

Explore the critical roles and competencies of nurses in disaster situations through this informative quiz. Familiarize yourself with the ethical principles and core competencies required to effectively respond to disasters. Understand how various organizations define and address disaster nursing.