A practical nurse (PN) arrives at a client's residence for a scheduled home health visit. Upon opening the front door, the PN immediately detects a powerful odor of natural gas and hears a faint hissing sound coming from the kitchen. In what order should the PN perform the following actions? Arrange the items in chronological order from first action to last action.
- 1Evacuate the client from the residence immediately without touching any electrical switches.
- 2Leave the exterior door wide open while exiting the property.
- 3Relocate with the client to a safe distance well away from the structure.
- 4Call emergency services (911) and the utility company using a mobile phone.
- 5Notify the home health agency supervisor to report the incident and arrange ongoing care.
Answer
The correct sequence prioritizes immediate safe evacuation, passive ventilation, establishing a safe distance, notifying emergency authorities, and finally updating the clinical supervisor.
In the presence of a severe natural gas leak, the atmosphere is highly volatile and poses an immediate threat to life. The first nursing priority is life safety: evacuating the client swiftly. During evacuation, it is critical not to touch any electrical switches, as the slightest spark can trigger an explosion. Leaving the door open provides essential passive ventilation to mitigate the concentration of the hazard. Only after reaching a safe distance away from the building should the nurse use a cell phone to call 911 and the utility company, because cell phones can also serve as ignition sources in a saturated environment. Once the emergency response is activated and the perimeter is secure, the nurse contacts their supervisor to manage the ongoing clinical needs of the displaced client.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
When responding to an explosive hazardous gas leak, the priority is immediate evacuation without creating ignition sources (sparks from switches or phones), followed by securing a safe distance before activating emergency medical and utility services.
Estimated Time:1m 30s