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Difficulty: HardEmergency Response and Hazardous Materials

A maintenance employee notifies the practical nurse (PN) that two cleaning chemicals were accidentally mixed in a confined storage room on the unit, creating a strong, irritating vapor. The employee is coughing but ambulatory. Which of the following initial actions should the PN take? Select all that apply.

  1. Escort the coughing employee and any nearby clients to a safe zone with fresh air.Answer
  2. Close the storage room door immediately to contain the irritating fumes.Answer
  3. C
    Complete a full respiratory assessment on the employee while standing outside the storage room.
  4. D
    Put on a standard surgical mask and gloves to quickly enter the room and retrieve the chemical bottles.
  5. E
    Assign an assistive personnel to monitor the employee's respiratory status while the PN calls for help.

Answer

The PN should evacuate the employee and nearby clients to a safe area and close the storage room door to contain the fumes.
In the event of a hazardous chemical spill or vapor release, the initial priorities follow the principles of emergency response: rescue those in immediate danger by evacuating them to a safe area with fresh air, and confine the hazard by closing doors to prevent the spread of toxic fumes. Only personnel equipped with appropriate specialized hazardous material gear should attempt to identify or clean the spill.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary hazard and priority.
The hazard is a toxic chemical vapor. The immediate priority is life safety and airway protection.
Inhalation of unknown chemical mixtures can cause rapid respiratory compromise.
2
Determine the appropriate initial nursing actions.
The PN must first remove the affected employee and nearby clients from the source of the vapor.
Evacuation ensures a safe breathing environment and prevents further exposure.
3
Determine the next action to protect the rest of the unit.
The PN should close the door to the storage room.
Confining the hazard prevents the vapor from spreading through the facility's air flow.

Key Concept

Hazardous Material Incident Prioritization
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Topics

Emergency Response and Hazardous Materials

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