Question

The nurse discovers a fire in the trash basket in a client's bathroom. The nurse assists the client out of the hospital room to a safe place, activates the fire alarm, and takes which action next?

a.Attempt to extinguish the fire
b.Close the door to the client's room
c.Notify the charge nurse
d.Collect the client's personal belongings

Answer 1

After ensuring the client's safety and activating the fire alarm in a hospital setting, the nurse's next action is to close the door to the client's room to contain the fire.

Step-by-step explanation:

After assisting the client out of the hospital room to a safe place and activating the fire alarm, the nurse should next close the door to the client's room. This action helps to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading. Collecting the client's personal belongings is not a priority during a fire, and attempting to extinguish the fire should be done only if the fire is small and the nurse has the proper equipment and training. The priority is to ensure safety and follow the rescue, alarm, contain, and extinguish (RACE) acronym in fire situations. While rescuing victims and administering first aid are essential during fires, as evidenced by firefighters' actions, the nurse's immediate response should focus on containment after ensuring the safety of the client.