A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is notified that a mass casualty event has occurred in the community. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

Choice A reason: Assigning all staff to the emergency department disrupts care for existing inpatients and may overwhelm ED operations. Staff allocation should follow a triage plan, balancing hospital-wide needs. This action is impractical and risks neglecting other patients, making it less effective than preparing resources. Choice B reason: Preparing to discharge stable clients frees up beds for incoming casualties, optimizing hospital capacity during a mass casualty event. This aligns with disaster protocols, ensuring resources are available for critical patients. It supports efficient triage and care delivery, making it the correct action. Choice C reason: Canceling all elective surgeries immediately is premature without assessing the event’s scope. Some surgeries may continue if resources allow, per disaster protocols. This action disrupts hospital operations unnecessarily and is less urgent than preparing beds for casualties, making it inappropriate. Choice D reason: Requesting ventilators assumes specific needs without assessing the casualty event’s nature. Ventilators may not be immediately required, and resource allocation should follow triage protocols. Preparing beds is a more immediate and versatile action, making this choice less prioritized in the initial response.