A nurse on a medical unit is teaching a group of assistive personnel about handling clients’ bed linens safely. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

A) Four wheel walker: While a four-wheel walker provides excellent support and stability for clients with significant mobility limitations, it is not always the best choice for someone who occasionally loses balance. It can be bulky and difficult to maneuver in tight spaces, and it may not provide as much support for clients who need only occasional assistance with balance. A gait belt allows for more hands-on assistance when needed.

B) Gait belt: A gait belt is the most appropriate device to use when assisting a client who occasionally loses balance. It allows the nurse to provide hands-on support and maintain the client’s safety during ambulation. The gait belt provides a secure hold, enabling the nurse to assist the client in regaining balance quickly, preventing falls if the client starts to lose their stability.

C) Jacket harness: A jacket harness is typically used in more severe cases of balance loss or in situations where the client has significant mobility impairments. While it provides more overall support, it may not be necessary for a client who only occasionally loses balance. It can also be more cumbersome than a gait belt for helping with short, occasional ambulation.

D) Cane: A cane is helpful for clients who need mild to moderate support while walking, but it might not offer enough stability for a client who occasionally loses balance. A cane may provide support in some cases, but using a gait belt would be more effective for safely supporting and guiding the client during ambulation.

A) Use a dosimeter to measure the level of radiation in the area before intervening:
While a dosimeter can be useful for measuring radiation levels, it is not the immediate priority in a mass casualty incident. The nurse's first concern should be to ensure personal safety by choosing the most appropriate PPE based on the unknown nature of the hazard. Delaying action to measure radiation might delay critical intervention for victims.

B) Wait until the type of equipment needed is known:
Waiting to determine the exact type of personal protective equipment (PPE) is not a safe strategy in a mass casualty incident. The nurse should be prepared to act quickly to provide care, and waiting to ascertain PPE could jeopardize both the nurse's safety and the safety of the victims. Immediate action, even with the highest available PPE, is more important than waiting for full details.

C) Choose the highest level of protection equipment available:
In a mass casualty incident where the type of hazard is unknown, choosing the highest level of protection ensures the nurse is safeguarded against a broad range of potential risks, such as chemical, biological, or radiological exposure. This action prioritizes safety while providing the flexibility to intervene without delay.

D) Decontaminate victims before intervening:
While decontamination is crucial in a hazardous incident, the nurse's first responsibility is their own safety. Without the proper PPE, the nurse could become contaminated. After donning the appropriate protective equipment, the nurse can then assist with decontaminating victims if necessary. Decontaminating victims should not be the first step before ensuring the nurse is properly protected.