During a fire evacuation, what is the first step a nurse should take?

The first step a nurse should take during a fire evacuation is to evacuate the most ambulatory clients first. This approach prioritizes the safety of those who can assist themselves and move quickly, thereby reducing the workload on healthcare staff and allowing for a more efficient evacuation process. Ambulatory clients—those who are able to walk without assistance—can be moved to safety more swiftly, which is critical during an emergency situation where time is of the essence.

Focusing on evacuating an ambulatory population first also allows healthcare workers to concentrate their efforts on assisting those who may require additional support, such as patients who are bedridden or have limited mobility. This tiered approach to evacuation helps to ensure that all patients are accounted for and evacuated in an organized manner, preventing panic and chaos during a fire emergency.

While securing medical equipment and informing staff about the evacuation plan are important components of fire safety and emergency readiness, they are secondary to the immediate need to protect patient lives. Evacuating individuals who can move independently minimizes the number of people who need assistance later in the evacuation process, ultimately enhancing overall safety and efficiency.