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Zorluk: OrtaHandling Hazardous and Infectious Materials

A client arrives at the emergency department triage entrance stating they were drenched in an unknown agricultural pesticide during a workplace accident. The client is alert, breathing without difficulty, and complains of severe skin burning. Which of the following is the priority action for the triage nurse to take?

  1. A
    Assess the client's vital signs and oxygen saturation immediately in the triage bay before initiating any cleaning.
  2. B
    Escort the client into an indoor negative-pressure isolation room to prevent the chemical fumes from spreading.
  3. Direct the client to the facility's external decontamination area while staff don appropriate chemical-resistant personal protective equipment.Cevap
  4. D
    Apply a standard fluid-resistant gown, gloves, and surgical mask, then assist the client with removing their clothes in the triage bathroom.

Cevap

The priority action is to direct the client to the external decontamination area while staff don chemical-resistant personal protective equipment.
The absolute priority when a client presents with a hazardous chemical exposure is to prevent secondary contamination of the healthcare environment, staff, and other clients. Directing the client to an external, designated decontamination area ensures that toxic runoff and fumes do not enter the emergency department. Staff must also don specialized chemical-resistant personal protective equipment, as standard hospital gowns and gloves do not provide adequate protection against agricultural pesticides.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Recognize the presence of a hazardous material (agricultural pesticide).
The nurse identifies that the client poses a risk of secondary contamination to the facility and other individuals.
Agricultural pesticides are toxic chemicals that can spread rapidly through contact or fumes.
2
Determine the priority intervention based on emergency hazardous materials (hazmat) protocols.
The nurse prioritizes external decontamination over immediate medical assessment.
Facility safety and staff protection must be secured first; bringing a contaminated client indoors compromises the entire emergency department.
3
Select the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and location.
The nurse chooses chemical-resistant PPE and an external decontamination shower.
Standard isolation precautions are designed for biological pathogens, not hazardous chemicals, and indoor rooms lack the proper drainage for chemical runoff.

Anahtar Kavram

Secondary Contamination Prevention in Hazardous Material Exposures
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