Question

You enter a patient's room and discover a small fire burning on the bed. The patient appears to have fallen asleep while smoking. What should you immediately do?

Answer 1

In this scenario, you have discovered a small fire burning on the bed where a patient is sleeping, and the patient appears to have fallen asleep while smoking. Immediate action is necessary to ensure the safety of the patient and prevent the fire from spreading. The steps to follow include ensuring your own safety, waking up the patient, and attempting to extinguish the fire if it is small and manageable.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this scenario, you have discovered a small fire burning on the bed where a patient is sleeping, and the patient appears to have fallen asleep while smoking. It is crucial to take immediate action to ensure the safety of the patient and prevent the fire from spreading. Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Ensure your safety: Before attempting to extinguish the fire, make sure you are not putting yourself at risk. If the fire is too large or spreading rapidly, evacuate the room and alert the appropriate authorities.
2. Wake up the patient: It is important to wake up the patient and guide them to safety. Stay calm and communicate clearly to ensure they understand the urgency of the situation. Help them leave the room and move to a safe location.
3. Extinguish the fire: If the fire is small and manageable, you can attempt to extinguish it using an appropriate fire extinguisher. Aim at the base of the fire and sweep the extinguisher from side to side. If you are unfamiliar with using fire extinguishers or if the fire becomes unmanageable, evacuate the area and call for professional help.

Remember that your safety and the safety of others should always be your priority in situations like this.