Question

The nurse manager is creating a plan of action for the emergency department in the event of an internal fire. What should the nurse include in the plan? Select all that apply.

A. Direct ambulating clients to walk to a safe location.
B. Continue oxygen for all clients to reduce damage to lung tissue.
C. Remove all clients from danger before attempting to extinguish the fire.
D. Wait for the fire department to arrive before initiating the plan of action.
E. Move bedridden clients away from the fire area by use of beds or stretchers.

Answer 1

In an emergency department's fire plan, a nurse manager should instruct to direct ambulating clients to safety, prioritize removing all clients from danger, and ensure that bedridden clients are moved to a safe area using beds or stretchers.

Step-by-step explanation:

When creating a plan of action for an emergency department in the event of an internal fire, the nurse manager should include a number of critical steps to ensure the safety of all clients and staff. Appropriate actions the nurse should include are:

• Direct ambulating clients to walk to a safe location. This is important for the clients who can move without assistance, facilitating their speedy relocation away from danger.
• Remove all clients from danger before attempting to extinguish the fire. Prioritizing the safety of clients is imperative to minimize the number of casualties during an internal fire.
• Move bedridden clients away from the fire area by use of beds or stretchers. This ensures that the most vulnerable clients, who cannot move themselves, are also evacuated to safety efficiently.

The other options, 'Continue oxygen for all clients' and 'Wait for the fire department before initiating the plan of action' are not advisable. Continuing oxygen can be a hazard if there's an active fire which could ignite the oxygen supply, and waiting for the fire department might lead to unnecessary delays in executing the emergency plan, risking lives in the process.