RESPOND TO THESE TWO WITH CITATIONS AND REFERENCES 7-12 SENTENCES EACH
1. The Chernobyl disaster was a nuclear accident that happened on April 26, 1986, at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant’s No. 4 reactor, close to the Ukrainian SSR city of Pripyat. Unit 4 of the nuclear power plant was destroyed by a rapid power surge that occurred during a reactor systems test. Massive amounts of radioactive material were released into the environment as a result of the accident and the ensuing fire.
In the first four months following the Chernobyl accident, 28 of the 600 employees at the plant perished due to the severe radiation impacts. Another 106 employees received radiation doses that were severe enough to make them sick. Concerns concerning radiation exposure to those who were evacuated from these places have been raised by organizations including the World Health Organization. In 1986, milk in the area was polluted with radioactive iodine, which exposed many kids and teenagers to significant thyroid dosages. (Backgrounder on chernobyl nuclear power plant accident, n.d)
A nurse plays an important role in disaster management. They assess and triage victims, administer first aid, advanced clinical treatment, and life-saving medications, distribute limited resources, and keep track of ongoing physical and mental health requirements. In the case of nuclear disaster, wound treatment, fluid management, infection control, the administration of medical countermeasures, community screening for radiation exposure and contamination, decontamination, and the provision of supportive emotional and mental health care are all included in nursing evaluation and intervention.
Resources
Backgrounder on chernobyl nuclear power plant accident. NRC Web. (n.d.). https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fac… 2. Regardless of the nature of a disaster the common thread and cause for concern remains the significant threat to human health and safety. Natural disasters such as earthquakes can cause devastation in a region and overwhelm resources. However, in March of 2011, an earthquake in Fukushima Japan caused a Tsunami which subsequently disabled the AC units to the nuclear powerplant causing the overheating of the nuclear reactors 1 and 3 (Anzai et al., 2012). In addition to the AC failure the backup cooling method of water injection also failed to provide enough cooling power to the quickly overheating reactors (Anzai et al., 2012). In a final attempt to prevent a meltdown there was a manual release of pressure which proved inadequate in prevention of a meltdown (Anzai et al., 2012). The meltdown ultimately resulted in the release of nuclear material which poses both immediate and long-term health implications for the residents. The immediate concerns during nuclear accidents often focus on removing of human life from the area of nuclear impact quickly to prevent radiation sickness and death (Anzai et al., 2012). However, the management of disaster only begins with the immediate preservation of life, multiple complications such as loss of home, family, community, and emotional and psychological factors also effect a community experiencing a major disaster. In Fukushima one of the many impacts of this meltdown on the health care community and patients was the hasty transport of elderly and ill outside of the contamination zone (Hasergawa et al. 2012). Many lives were lost when continuous care was disrupted in transport and vulnerable populations suffered consequently (Hasergawa et al,.2012). In case of such disasters the role of nurses as expert healthcare workers and patient advocates reaches beyond providing medical care to those impacted by disaster. Nurses often work to provide information and education to the community in cases of mass casualty or disaster incidents. Nurses can have a huge impact on the psychological impacts of a disaster in the community by recognizing the emotional needs of the community and facilitating provision of appropriate teachings and resources to the community.
Anzai, K., Ban, N., Ozawa, T., & Tokonami, S. (2012). Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident: facts, environmental contamination, possible biological effects, and countermeasures. Journal of clinical biochemistry and nutrition, 50(1), 2–8. https://doi.org/10.3164/jcbn.D-11-00021Links to an external site.
Hasegawa, A., Ohira, T., Maeda, M., Yasumura, S., & Tanigawa, K. (2016). Emergency responses and health consequences after the Fukushima accident; evacuation and relocation. Clinical Oncology, 28(4), 237–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clon.2016.01.002
ANSWER THESE 2 DISCUSSION POSTS WITH CITATIONS AND REFERENCES 7-12 SENTENCES EACH
1. For this week’s discussion, view the Week 6 Resources and choose one of the websites to visit and explore. Choose a subject/topic that you find most interesting. Provide a link to the website and the source citation in your post.
Address all of the following:
Why did you select this resource/site? Why do you find the subject/topic interesting?
What is the one thing you want others to know about this subject/topic that is found on the website?
What information had the greatest impact on you? Explain.
In your peer replies, ask questions about the subject/topic that you are curious about and offer new resources.
Support your answers with evidence from the site that you visited and provide a citation for that website.
TDI/DSR Response After the Tornado of May 20th, 2013, Moore, Oklahoma (Video 5:01)
Click the following link(s) to explore web content related to this week’s topics.
Therapy Dogs International
Coping With a Disaster or Traumatic Event
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc.
National Wildland Fire and Aviation Critical Incident Management Website
Resources for Providers: Responding to Disaster and Mass Violence
Red Cross Mental Health Teams Help People Cope During Disaster
Click the following link(s) to explore documents related to this week’s topics.
Handouts From the Psychological First Aid Manual
THOSE ARE THE RESOURCES TO CHOOSE FROM 2. This week you will put together your 72-hour disaster home “go bag” and evaluate your preparedness.
Here are the steps for your initial post:
1. Use the lists available at the Ready.gov websiteLinks to an external site., FEMALinks to an external site., or the Red Cross websiteLinks to an external site. to gather items for your 72-hour home go bag. Add additional items that you think will be useful and essential for your family. (You are not required to purchase items, but you may if you choose.)
2. Post a picture of all of the items you have gathered for your go bag. Make sure your name is included somewhere in the picture (you can write your name on a piece of paper and include that in the picture, or add your student ID badge). For the sake of personal and family privacy, keep personal/private items out of the photograph; you may list them (e.g., prescription medications).
You must take and submit a picture of your own items! You may not post a picture from the internet or any other source.
Along with your photo, include the following information:
A discussion of the items in your home go bag – what is present and what is missing.
A brief explanation of the demographic considerations and potential disaster hazards in your area and why you included certain items.
Your family, pets, and living situation considerations and why you included certain items.
Are you prepared to help others in your community in the event of a disaster?
Support your answers with evidence from scholarly sources.
In your replies to peers, you may:
Make suggestions for items to add or additional go bag ideas for children, pets, etc.
Share ideas for cost-effective ways to add items.
Ask questions about why some items are included, if it was not explained in the post.
Share additional websites and preparedness lists.
Example: “I felt it was interesting that you chose to include a fishing pole. What else would you need to include to assure the proper use of this tool? This is a resource that may not be useful to everyone but in our area, we could benefit from this important tool. According to Veneema…”
Additional Resources
How to Pack an Emergency Kit for Any DisasterLinks to an external site.
How to Put Together a Family Emergency KitLinks to an external site.