In a radioactive material exposure case, what should be the nurse's first action?

In a scenario involving exposure to radioactive material, the immediate priority is to reduce the patient's contamination and mitigate any potential health risks. Stripping the patient of all clothing and proceeding with decontamination helps to effectively remove radioactivity from the skin and body. Contaminated clothing can retain radioactive particles, thereby prolonging exposure and increasing the risk of radiation injury.

The rapid removal of clothing minimizes the amount of radioactive material that can be absorbed through the skin or spread to others. Decontamination is critical in preventing further radiation exposure to both the patient and healthcare providers, as well as protecting the environment.

While it is also important to gather information about the exposure and to handle clothing for analysis later, these actions can be performed once the immediate focus on decontaminating the patient is completed. Thus, prioritizing the patient's safety through decontamination is crucial in managing radioactive material exposure effectively.