VIRGINIA DISASTER RESPONSE NURSE EXAM STUDY
GUIDE: COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS (2027 EDITION)
Question 1
During the initial phase of a disaster response, what is the nurse's
highest priority when arriving at a disaster scene?
A. Begin treating the most seriously injured patient immediately
B. Establish scene safety and identify hazards
C. Obtain complete medical histories from victims
D. Transport patients to the nearest hospital
Answer: B
Rationale: Scene safety is the first priority because responders cannot
safely provide care if they become injured or exposed to hazards. The
nurse should assess environmental threats, personal protective
equipment requirements, and the need for additional resources before
initiating patient care.
Question 2
A disaster nurse encounters multiple victims with varying degrees of
injury. Which triage principle should guide the nurse's decisions?
A. Treat patients in the order they arrived
B. Treat patients with the most painful injuries first
C. Do the greatest good for the greatest number of people
,D. Focus resources on the most critically ill patients who require
extensive care
Answer: C
Rationale: Disaster triage utilizes the utilitarian principle of doing the
greatest good for the greatest number of people. This differs from daily
emergency triage, where resources are focused on saving the sickest
individual patients. In a disaster, patients with minor injuries are treated
first to keep them moving, and those with catastrophic injuries are
often given palliative care to free up resources for the salvageable.
Question 3
Which organization is responsible for coordinating the overall federal
response to a major disaster in the United States?
A. The American Red Cross
B. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
C. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
D. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Answer: B
Rationale: FEMA is the agency responsible for coordinating the federal
government's role in disaster response, recovery, and mitigation. While
HHS and CDC play critical roles in public health and medical response,
FEMA coordinates the overall federal effort under the National
Response Framework.
Question 4
A nurse is working in a shelter following a hurricane. Which of the
following is a primary public health concern in this setting?
A. Monitoring for outbreak of communicable diseases
B. Providing surgical interventions
,C. Restoring electricity to the affected area
D. Conducting forensic investigations
Answer: A
Rationale: Sheltering large populations in close quarters increases the
risk of communicable disease outbreaks (e.g., norovirus, influenza).
Nurses in shelters must prioritize surveillance, hygiene promotion, and
isolation protocols to prevent the spread of illness.
Question 5
What does the term "surge capacity" refer to in disaster nursing?
A. The ability to predict the exact number of casualties
B. The ability to manage a sudden increase in patient volume using
available resources
C. The speed at which a patient can be transported to a hospital
D. The total number of hospital beds available in a region
Answer: B
Rationale: Surge capacity is the ability of a healthcare system to expand
rapidly to meet the increased demand for medical care during a
disaster. It involves optimizing staff, supplies, and space to handle a
sudden influx of patients.
Question 6
During a mass casualty incident, a patient presents with a respiratory
rate of 34, capillary refill > 2 seconds, and is unable to follow simple
commands. According to the START triage system, what color tag
should this patient receive?
A. Green
B. Yellow
, C. Red
D. Black
Answer: C
Rationale: Using the START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) system,
a patient with a respiratory rate > 30, capillary refill > 2 seconds (or
radial pulse absent), and who cannot follow commands is categorized as
Immediate (Red). These patients require immediate life-saving
intervention.
Question 7
A nurse is deployed to a disaster site. Which of the following is
considered an example of a secondary hazard?
A. The initial earthquake
B. A collapsing building after the earthquake
C. The hurricane making landfall
D. The floodwaters rising due to a dam break
Answer: B
Rationale: A secondary hazard is a hazard that occurs as a result of the
primary event. For example, an earthquake (primary) can cause
structural damage leading to a building collapse (secondary). Nurses
must be aware of secondary hazards to ensure their own safety and the
safety of victims.
Question 8
Which of the following is a key component of the Psychological First
Aid (PFA) model used in disasters?
A. Prescribing anti-anxiety medication immediately
B. Encouraging victims to recount the traumatic event in detail
GUIDE: COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS (2027 EDITION)
Question 1
During the initial phase of a disaster response, what is the nurse's
highest priority when arriving at a disaster scene?
A. Begin treating the most seriously injured patient immediately
B. Establish scene safety and identify hazards
C. Obtain complete medical histories from victims
D. Transport patients to the nearest hospital
Answer: B
Rationale: Scene safety is the first priority because responders cannot
safely provide care if they become injured or exposed to hazards. The
nurse should assess environmental threats, personal protective
equipment requirements, and the need for additional resources before
initiating patient care.
Question 2
A disaster nurse encounters multiple victims with varying degrees of
injury. Which triage principle should guide the nurse's decisions?
A. Treat patients in the order they arrived
B. Treat patients with the most painful injuries first
C. Do the greatest good for the greatest number of people
,D. Focus resources on the most critically ill patients who require
extensive care
Answer: C
Rationale: Disaster triage utilizes the utilitarian principle of doing the
greatest good for the greatest number of people. This differs from daily
emergency triage, where resources are focused on saving the sickest
individual patients. In a disaster, patients with minor injuries are treated
first to keep them moving, and those with catastrophic injuries are
often given palliative care to free up resources for the salvageable.
Question 3
Which organization is responsible for coordinating the overall federal
response to a major disaster in the United States?
A. The American Red Cross
B. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
C. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
D. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Answer: B
Rationale: FEMA is the agency responsible for coordinating the federal
government's role in disaster response, recovery, and mitigation. While
HHS and CDC play critical roles in public health and medical response,
FEMA coordinates the overall federal effort under the National
Response Framework.
Question 4
A nurse is working in a shelter following a hurricane. Which of the
following is a primary public health concern in this setting?
A. Monitoring for outbreak of communicable diseases
B. Providing surgical interventions
,C. Restoring electricity to the affected area
D. Conducting forensic investigations
Answer: A
Rationale: Sheltering large populations in close quarters increases the
risk of communicable disease outbreaks (e.g., norovirus, influenza).
Nurses in shelters must prioritize surveillance, hygiene promotion, and
isolation protocols to prevent the spread of illness.
Question 5
What does the term "surge capacity" refer to in disaster nursing?
A. The ability to predict the exact number of casualties
B. The ability to manage a sudden increase in patient volume using
available resources
C. The speed at which a patient can be transported to a hospital
D. The total number of hospital beds available in a region
Answer: B
Rationale: Surge capacity is the ability of a healthcare system to expand
rapidly to meet the increased demand for medical care during a
disaster. It involves optimizing staff, supplies, and space to handle a
sudden influx of patients.
Question 6
During a mass casualty incident, a patient presents with a respiratory
rate of 34, capillary refill > 2 seconds, and is unable to follow simple
commands. According to the START triage system, what color tag
should this patient receive?
A. Green
B. Yellow
, C. Red
D. Black
Answer: C
Rationale: Using the START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) system,
a patient with a respiratory rate > 30, capillary refill > 2 seconds (or
radial pulse absent), and who cannot follow commands is categorized as
Immediate (Red). These patients require immediate life-saving
intervention.
Question 7
A nurse is deployed to a disaster site. Which of the following is
considered an example of a secondary hazard?
A. The initial earthquake
B. A collapsing building after the earthquake
C. The hurricane making landfall
D. The floodwaters rising due to a dam break
Answer: B
Rationale: A secondary hazard is a hazard that occurs as a result of the
primary event. For example, an earthquake (primary) can cause
structural damage leading to a building collapse (secondary). Nurses
must be aware of secondary hazards to ensure their own safety and the
safety of victims.
Question 8
Which of the following is a key component of the Psychological First
Aid (PFA) model used in disasters?
A. Prescribing anti-anxiety medication immediately
B. Encouraging victims to recount the traumatic event in detail
