The hospital's Emergency Operations Committee is working on their disaster plan. In which components should nurses be included? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY

Choice A reason: Administering an antipyretic is not the next action that the nurse should initiate. An antipyretic is a medication that lowers fever, which is a common symptom of meningococcal meningitis. However, fever is not a life-threatening condition, and it may have some beneficial effects on fighting infection. The nurse should first prioritize other actions that are more urgent or critical for the client's safety and outcome.

Choice B reason: Decreasing environmental stimuli is not the next action that the nurse should initiate. Decreasing environmental stimuli is a nursing intervention that can help reduce agitation, confusion, or seizures in clients with meningococcal meningitis. However, it is not an immediate or essential action, and it may not be effective if the client's condition worsens or progresses to coma.

Choice C reason: Assessing the cranial nerves is the next action that the nurse should initiate. Cranial nerve assessment is a neurological examination that evaluates the function of 12 pairs of nerves that originate from the brainstem and control various sensory and motor functions, such as vision, hearing, smell, taste, facial expression, eye movement, swallowing, speech, and balance. Meningococcal meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, which are the membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord. Meningeal inflammation can compress or damage the cranial nerves, causing various signs and symptoms, such as headache, photophobia, diplopia, facial palsy, dysphagia, dysarthria, or nystagmus. Assessing the cranial nerves can help detect any neurological deficits or complications early, and guide appropriate interventions or referrals.

Choice D reason: Completing a vascular assessment is not the next action that the nurse should initiate. A vascular assessment is a physical examination that evaluates the blood flow and circulation in different parts of the body, such as the arms, legs, abdomen, or neck. It may include checking pulses, blood pressure, capillary refill, skin color, temperature, or edema. A vascular assessment may be relevant for some clients with meningococcal meningitis who develop septic shock or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which are serious conditions that affect blood vessels and clotting factors. However, these are not common or early manifestations of meningococcal meningitis, and they require more advanced or specialized assessments and treatments.

Choice A reason: Natural history of disease is not an approach that explains the factors that allow the reproduction and spread of infectious disease. Natural history of disease is a concept that describes the progression and outcome of disease in the absence of any intervention. It includes stages such as susceptibility, exposure, incubation, prodrome, clinical, recovery, disability, or death.

Choice B reason: Health promotion is not an approach that explains the factors that allow the reproduction and spread of infectious diseases. Health promotion is a process that enables people to increase control over and improve their health. It involves strategies such as education, advocacy, policy, or community development.

Choice C reason: Levels of prevention is not an approach that explains the factors that allow the reproduction and spread of infectious disease. Levels of prevention is a framework that classifies different types of interventions based on their timing and purpose. It includes primary prevention (before disease occurs), secondary prevention (early detection and treatment), and tertiary prevention (reducing complications and disabilities).

Choice D reason: Epidemiologic triangle is an approach that explains the factors that allow the reproduction and spread of infectious disease. Epidemiologic triangle is a model that identifies three essential components of an infectious disease: agent (the microorganism that causes the disease), host (the person or animal that is infected), and environment (the physical, biological, or social factors that influence the transmission). The interaction and balance among these components determine the occurrence and spread of an infectious disease.