A nurse participating in the development of a disaster management plan for a hospital. The nurse should recognize that which of the following resources is the highest priority to have available in response to a bioterrorism event?

The correct answer is B: A sufficient supply of personal protective equipment. In a bioterrorism event, protecting healthcare workers from exposure is critical to prevent further spread of the biological agent. Personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves, is essential to reduce the risk of transmission. Tracking client information (choice A) may be important for follow-up care but does not address immediate safety concerns. While mental health support (choice C) is important, ensuring staff safety should be the primary focus initially. Communication networks (choice D) are crucial but do not directly address the immediate protection of healthcare workers.