Final answer:
The first action the nurse should take in case of a suspected scabies outbreak is to initiate contact tracing, with subsequent steps including treatment, public education, and media communication following this initial containment effort.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a community health nurse suspects an outbreak of scabies in the local area, the first action to take is to initiate contact tracing. Contact tracing involves identifying and assessing individuals who have been in contact with infected persons to prevent further spread of the disease. This step precedes other actions such as treating affected individuals with scabicides, notifying local media, or convening community meetings, as it helps to swiftly identify the extent of the outbreak and directly interrupts the transmission of the scabies mite.
While treatment of affected individuals is critical, understanding the reach of the outbreak through contact tracing can inform the scale and urgency of the treatment measures required. Public education and media communication can be strategically used after the initial containment measures are well underway.