A charge nurse is discussing the phases of community response to disaster with nursing staff. Which of the following statements indicates an understanding of the heroic phase of disaster response?

Choice A: Anemia

Anemia is a condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin, which leads to reduced oxygen transport in the body. In this case, the child’s hemoglobin level is 9 g/dL, which is below the normal range of 10 to 15.5 g/dL for children. The hematocrit level is also low at 30%, compared to the normal range of 32% to 44%. These lab results indicate that the child is anemic. The presence of melena (black, tarry stools) suggests gastrointestinal bleeding, which is a common cause of blood loss anemia. The recurrent vomiting of yellowish-red emesis further supports the likelihood of gastrointestinal bleeding. Therefore, the correct diagnosis is anemia due to blood loss.

Choice B: Dehydration

Dehydration occurs when there is an excessive loss of body fluids. Symptoms can include dry skin, decreased skin turgor, and low blood pressure. In this scenario, the child’s skin is described as warm and dry to touch, and skin turgor is without tenting, which does not indicate dehydration. Additionally, the child’s blood pressure is within the normal range (102/68 mm Hg), and there is no mention of decreased urine output or other signs of dehydration.

Although the child has been vomiting, the lab results do not show significant electrolyte imbalances that would suggest severe dehydration. Therefore, dehydration is not the correct diagnosis in this case.

Choice C: Infection

Infection is typically indicated by an elevated white blood cell (WBC) count and the presence of specific symptoms such as fever, chills, or localized signs of infection. The child’s WBC count is 8,000/mm³, which is within the normal range of 5,000 to 10,000/mm³. There are no reported symptoms of infection such as fever or chills. Although Helicobacter pylori antigen was detected in the stool, which indicates a bacterial infection, this alone does not explain the child’s anemia and gastrointestinal symptoms. The primary issue appears to be blood loss rather than an active infection causing systemic symptoms. Therefore, infection is not the correct diagnosis.

Choice D: Malnutrition

Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of nutrients. Signs of malnutrition can include weight loss, muscle wasting, and deficiencies in specific vitamins and minerals. The child’s parents deny recent weight loss, and there are no signs of muscle wasting or other indicators of malnutrition in the physical assessment. The lab results do not show deficiencies in essential nutrients such as potassium, sodium, or calcium. Therefore, malnutrition is not the correct diagnosis in this case.

Choice E: Pain

Pain is a subjective experience and can be a symptom of various underlying conditions. The child reports recurrent epigastric pain and rates it as 3 on a pain scale of 0 to 10, with an increase to 4 after vomiting. While pain is a significant symptom, it is not a diagnosis in itself but rather an indication of an underlying issue. In this scenario, the pain is likely related to the gastrointestinal bleeding and anemia. Therefore, pain is not the primary diagnosis but a symptom of the underlying condition.

Condition Choices Rationales

Choice A: Blood Loss

Blood loss is a significant cause of anemia, particularly when it is acute or chronic. In this scenario, the child has passed a large melena stool, which is indicative of gastrointestinal bleeding. Melena is characterized by black, tarry stools that result from the digestion of blood in the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, the child vomited yellowish- red emesis, further suggesting the presence of blood. The lab results show a hemoglobin level of 9 g/dL and a hematocrit of 30%, both of which are below the normal ranges (10 to 15.5 g/dL for hemoglobin and 32% to 44% for hematocrit). These findings strongly indicate that the child is experiencing anemia due to blood loss. Blood loss can lead to a decrease in the number of red blood cells, which are essential for carrying oxygen throughout the body, resulting in symptoms such as fatigue, pallor, and shortness of breath.

Choice B: Vomiting

Vomiting can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, but it is not directly associated with anemia. In this case, the child has vomited 250 mL of yellowish-red emesis, which suggests the presence of blood. However, the primary concern here is the blood loss rather than the act of vomiting itself. Vomiting can exacerbate the loss of fluids and electrolytes, but the lab results do not show significant electrolyte imbalances that would indicate severe dehydration. The potassium level is slightly low at 3.0 mEq/L (normal range: 3.4 to 4.7 mEq/L), but this alone does not explain the anemia. Therefore, while vomiting is a symptom, it is not the primary cause of the child’s condition.

Choice C: Bacterial Infection

A bacterial infection can cause a variety of symptoms, including fever, elevated white blood cell count, and localized signs of infection. In this scenario, the child’s white blood cell count is 8,000/mm³, which is within the normal range (5,000 to 10,000/mm³). Although Helicobacter pylori antigen was detected in the stool, indicating a bacterial infection, this alone does not explain the child’s anemia and gastrointestinal symptoms. Helicobacter pylori is known to cause peptic ulcers, which can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding. However, the primary issue here is the blood loss resulting from the ulcer, not the infection itself. Therefore, while a bacterial infection is present, it is not the direct cause of the anemia.

Choice D: Poor Diet

Poor diet can lead to malnutrition and deficiencies in essential nutrients, which can cause anemia over time. However, in this case, the child’s parents deny recent weight loss, and there are no signs of malnutrition in the physical assessment. The lab results do not show deficiencies in essential nutrients such as potassium, sodium, or calcium. The child’s hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are low, but this is more likely due to acute blood loss rather than chronic nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, poor diet is not the primary cause of the child’s condition.

Choice E: Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is a symptom rather than a diagnosis. It can be caused by a variety of underlying conditions, including gastrointestinal bleeding, infections, and inflammation. In this scenario, the child reports recurrent epigastric pain and rates it as 3 on a pain scale of 0 to 10, with an increase to 4 after vomiting. The presence of melena and yellowish-red emesis suggests that the abdominal pain is related to gastrointestinal bleeding. Therefore, while abdominal pain is a significant symptom, it is not the primary diagnosis but rather an indication of the underlying condition, which is anemia due to blood loss.

Choice A reason:

The purpose of a Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain is not to eliminate the need for wound irrigations. Wound irrigation is a critical step in wound care that helps remove debris, reduce bacterial load, and create an optimal environment for healing. The JP drain helps manage fluid accumulation but does not replace the need for proper wound irrigation.

Choice B reason:

While a JP drain can help manage bleeding by providing a pathway for blood to exit the wound, its primary purpose is not to limit bleeding. Instead, it is designed to prevent the accumulation of fluids such as blood, serous fluid, and other exudates that can impede healing and increase the risk of infection. Managing bleeding typically involves other interventions such as surgical hemostasis techniques.

Choice C reason:

The primary purpose of a Jackson-Pratt drain is to prevent fluid from accumulating in the wound. After surgery, wounds can produce various fluids, including blood and lymphatic fluid. Accumulation of these fluids can delay healing and increase the risk of infection. The JP drain uses gentle suction to draw these fluids away from the wound site, promoting faster healing and reducing the risk of complications.

Choice D reason:

A JP drain is not typically used to provide a means for medication administration. Medications are usually administered through other routes such as oral, intravenous, or through specialized catheters designed for medication delivery. The JP drain is specifically designed for fluid drainage and not for delivering medications.