title: Bioterrorism--are you ready for the silent killer?
abstract: Current biological threats to the United States have generated fear and panic among many, but nursing professionals who are educated about bioterrorism and its effects can answer questions confidently and calm fears when peers, family members, and friends ask about this issue. Perioperative nurses can become ambassadors of confidence via their ability to project calm and thus stem the tide of panic and fear. This article explains the definition of bioterrorism, its history, biological agents and their transmission, treatment options, and what nurses can do to facilitate preventive measures and help avert panic.
authors.affiliation: Capital Medical Center, Olympia, Wash., USA.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stillsmoking
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols; D000881:Anthrax / Q000517:prevention & control; D023482:Bioterrorism / Q000266:history; D001906:Botulism / Q000517:prevention & control; D004189:Disaster Planning; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D013527:Perioperative Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010930:Plague / Q000517:prevention & control; D012899:Smallpox / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States; D014612:Vaccines
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D014612:Vaccines