STOP THE SHAKES
BE CAREFUL OF EARTHQUAKES!
Characteristics of Earthquakes and the Nurse’s Roles and
Responsibilities During Them
By RLE Group 2 of 4-ND
An Overview on Disasters:
A disaster is an occurrence that causes human suffering and creates human needs that victims cannot alleviate without assistance.
Characteristics of Disasters:
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Sudden, unexpected, dangerous or distressing
May induce a strong emotional reaction that could hamper clear thinking
Poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or environment
Natural Disasters
Earthquakes
Landslides
Man-made Disasters
Typhoons
Accidents
EARTHQUAKES
Fact:
What is an earthquake?
a sudden movement of the earth caused by the release of energy accumulated over a period of time on the tectonic plates
Characteristics of Earthquakes:
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Terrorist Attacks/War
While earthquakes can occur anywhere in
the world, they are most common in along
plate boundaries. The Pacific Plate is the
most active plate, where the Philippines is
included.
How earthquakes spread:
common events on the Earth
50,000 occur every year around the globe
sudden movements inside the earth
happen naturally and spontaneously
no mechanism to predict them
propagated through seismic
waves that are produced by the
friction of the tectonic plates
which can produce from a small
shock to a catastrophe.
Types of Earthquakes:
Basic Preparedness
Tectonic
Volcanic
Explosion
Nurse Skills During an Earthquake
• Airway management and CPR
• Control of bleeding, bandaging, and fixation
• Wound debridement and dressing
• Stabilization of trauma
• Mass casualty transportation
• Shock treatment
• Control of infection
• Observation and monitoring different population
groups (children, pregnant women, elderly)
Personal Competencies Needed
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Communication Skills
Resiliency
Creativity and Innovation
Collapse
Nurse’s Roles and Responsibilities
During an Earthquake
• Activate and participate in organizational emergency op erations plans
• Monitor the use of p ersonal protective equipment (PPE)
• Field Care
• Triaging
• Nursing ingenuity in providing patient care
• Collaboration with other members involved in
EOP
References:
Cool Geography
Geologic Hazards Group
Moradi, K., Rezaei, S., Abdi, A., & Akbari, F. (2020). Nurses’ professional competences in providing care to the injured in earthquake: A qualitative study. Journal of
Education and Health Promotion, 9(1), 188. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_214_20
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology
V., G. B. (2021, December 2). Earthquake: What is it, characteristics, history, types,
Wakefield, M., Williams, D. R., Menestrel, S. L., & Flaubert, J. L. (Eds.). (2021). The Future of Nursing 2020-2030. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press.
https://doi.org/10.17226/25982