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Question

Difficulty: MediumEmergency Response Plan

A fire alarm sounds on a medical-surgical unit due to heavy smoke rapidly spreading from a central supply closet. The charge nurse initiates a horizontal evacuation to the adjacent fire compartment beyond the fire doors. Arrange the following clients in the correct order for evacuation, from first to last.

  1. 1A client in a room directly adjacent to the burning supply closet
  2. 2A client who is fully ambulatory and waiting for discharge paperwork
  3. 3A client who requires a walker and one-person standby assist
  4. 4A client who is completely bedridden and receiving continuous oxygen therapy

Answer

The correct sequence is to first evacuate the client in immediate danger (adjacent to the fire), followed by the ambulatory client, then the semi-ambulatory client with the walker, and finally the completely bedridden client.
In a facility emergency such as a fire, the standard evacuation triage protocol dictates moving individuals in the following sequence: 1) those in immediate danger, 2) ambulatory clients, 3) semi-ambulatory clients, and 4) non-ambulatory/bedridden clients. This sequence maximizes the number of lives saved by efficiently clearing the hazard zone and reserving intensive staff resources for when the pathways are clear.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify and evacuate anyone in immediate danger.
Move the client located in the room next to the supply closet.
Life safety principles dictate that the most imminent threats to life must be resolved first.
2
Evacuate ambulatory clients.
Direct the ambulatory client waiting for discharge to the safe zone.
Ambulatory clients require minimal staff intervention. Moving them quickly clears hallways and allows personnel to focus on more dependent clients.
3
Evacuate semi-ambulatory clients.
Assist the client who uses a walker and requires standby assist.
These clients need moderate assistance but are still relatively quick to relocate compared to entirely dependent individuals.
4
Evacuate non-ambulatory or bedridden clients.
Transport the bedridden client receiving continuous oxygen.
Bedridden clients require significant time, personnel, and often specialized equipment (like stretchers or blanket drags) to move, so they are prioritized last unless their specific room is compromised.

Key Concept

Emergency Facility Evacuation Prioritization
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Emergency Response Plan

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