1. Identify the psychosocial effects likely to occur in various types of disasters.
The psychosocial effects that occur during disasters often vary by person. However, many of the core effects still remain the same in this regard. These effects include emotional instability, anxiety, trauma, and stress reactions. The overall magnitude of the effects often depends on the severity of the disaster. A recent example has occurred with COVID-19 and the impact on mental health it had on healthcare providers. Here, the possibility of death, the contagion, and the uncertainty surrounding vaccinations ultimately created a number of challenging psychosocial effects. These impacts not only effect the individual, but also the work environment and surrounding communities.
2. Formulate strategies that Nurses can use to help people in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.
As a nurse, there are a number of strategies that can implemented in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. Using the COVID-19 example mentioned above, strategies will many be aimed at helping to remove uncertain about care and treatment. This will include assisting in an organizations disaster preparedness and response plans for example. Here, a nurse can assist with helping to inform client and patients on the best methods to receive treatment or alternatives. A nurse profession can also engage in community and consumer education after the aftermath. This can include information on how to receive treatment, where the best available treatment locations are, or knowledge on selfcare or future prevention. Nurses are particularly valuable when assessing victims of the disaster or those who have special needs. This is important as nurses often have specialties knowledge that can aid these populations in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.
3. Discuss the impact of disaster trauma on first responders.
Disasters often product overwhelming disruption to the social, economic and familial lives of first responders. These...
…overall stimuli involved. Here supported counseling is a helpful intervention mechanism to help survivors cope with the immediate aftermath of a disaster. In addition teaching resilience-enhancing strategies will also help survivals learn the skills and techniques needed to overcome any psychological trauma.
7. Describe the characteristics of PTSD.
The most common characteristics of PTSD are avoidance of thought and behaviors, negative changes in thoughts and mood, and change in reactivity. Here, the individual may go through periods in which they feel the event is occurring again. In this case they will exhibit seeming irrational emotions or have strong bodily reactions when reminded of the event.
8. Discuss the possible benefits and dangers of psychological debriefing.
Psychological debriefing helps to provide emotion support after a traumatic event in hopes of preventing PTSD. This is helpful as it can help alleviate the pain associated with remember a traumatic or stressful event. However, the data supporting its benefits are mixed. For example, one meta-analysis…
