Question

A CN on a medical unit hears the fire alarm announcement that a fire is occurring on the unit. Which of the following is the priority action by the CN? a. Administering medications to a stable client.

b. Activating the fire alarm system.
c. Assessing the client's pain level.
d. Documenting recent client assessments.

Answer 1

In case of a fire, a Clinical Nurse's priority is to activate the fire alarm system to ensure safety and initiate the emergency response. Other nursing duties become secondary in the face of an active fire emergency. the correct option is b. Activating the fire alarm system.

Step-by-step explanation:

The priority action for a Clinical Nurse (CN) when hearing a fire alarm on a medical unit is b. Activating the fire alarm system. This ensures the safety of all persons on the unit by initiating the emergency response protocol.

In the event of a fire, healthcare providers must follow the "RACE" protocol which stands for: Rescue anyone in immediate danger, Activate the fire alarm, Contain the fire by closing doors and windows, and Extinguish/Evacuate depending on the situation and the responder's capability.

Therefore, while administering medication, assessing the client's pain level, and documenting client assessments are normally important, they become secondary to an emerging fire emergency. Immediate activation of the fire alarm system is crucial for a coordinated response, potentially involving evacuation and firefighting efforts.