The nurse is inundated with victims brought to the emergency department after exposure to anthrax. The nurse is assigned to care for an apparently terminal patient showing signs and symptoms of septicemia, hemorrhagic meningitis, and respiratory distress
What intervention by the nurse would be most appropriate for this patient?
a. Administer packed red blood cells (PRBCs).
b. Provide palliative care.
c. Administer an anticoagulant.
d. Administer the antitoxin.
ANS: B
Palliative care is most appropriate for this terminal patient, who apparently has been exposed to inhalation anthrax. In mass casualty situations, supplies are reserved for those with the greatest chance of survival.
Administration of PRBCs would not help this dying patient, nor would administration of an anticoagulant.
No antitoxin is available for anthrax.
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