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Question

Difficulty: EasyAccident, Error, and Injury Prevention

A fire alarm has not yet sounded when a staff nurse notices flames originating from a faulty electrical outlet in a client's room. The client is currently in the bed nearest to the outlet. To ensure safety, how should the nurse sequence the immediate response actions? Arrange the steps from first to last.

  1. 1Assist the client out of the room to a safe location.
  2. 2Activate the facility's fire alarm system.
  3. 3Close the door to the room to contain the smoke and flames.
  4. 4Extinguish the fire using the appropriate fire extinguisher if safe to do so.

Answer

The correct sequence follows the RACE protocol: first assist the client to safety, then activate the alarm, next close the door, and finally attempt to extinguish the fire.
The standard emergency response to a fire in a healthcare facility follows the RACE acronym. First, anyone in immediate danger must be Rescued. Second, the alarm must be Activated to alert the facility. Third, the fire should be Confined by closing doors. Finally, if it is small and safe to do so, the fire can be Extinguished.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the immediate priority to preserve life.
The nurse assists the client out of the room to a safe location.
The 'R' in RACE stands for Rescue. Moving the client away from the flames is the most critical first step.
2
Notify others of the emergency.
The nurse activates the facility's fire alarm system.
The 'A' in RACE stands for Activate. The facility and emergency services must be alerted immediately after ensuring the client's safety.
3
Prevent the fire from spreading.
The nurse closes the door to the room.
The 'C' in RACE stands for Confine. Shutting doors and windows limits the fire's oxygen supply and isolates the smoke.
4
Address the fire directly if safe to do so.
The nurse uses an extinguisher to put out the flames.
The 'E' in RACE stands for Extinguish. This is the final step in the immediate response sequence.

Key Concept

Fire safety response (RACE mnemonic)
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Topics

Accident, Error, and Injury Prevention

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