What should be your first action if you discover a fire in a patient room?

When discovering a fire in a patient room, the immediate priority is to ensure the safety of individuals involved, which includes removing the person from the room if possible and sounding the alarm to alert others to the emergency. This action serves multiple crucial purposes: it protects the patient and anyone else present from potential flames and smoke, while also initiating the proper emergency response protocols by alerting the fire department or relevant authorities.

Keeping a clear line of communication about the situation is essential, as it enables additional resources to be mobilized quickly, helping to minimize harm and ensure that proper evacuation procedures can be followed for other patients. The act of sounding the alarm is a critical step that activates the fire safety protocols in place.

Other options may contribute to managing the situation but do not prioritize immediate safety and proper response as effectively. Attempting to extinguish the fire could place you in danger if the fire is too advanced or if the appropriate equipment is not readily available. Evacuating other patients immediately may also disrupt the flow of the response protocol, and sealing the room, while a good fire containment technique, should only be done if it is safe to do so and does not compromise the safety of individuals in the immediate area.