A person in the hospital pulls out a firearm and starts shooting patients and staff at random in the emergency department. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

Flee the scene if safe to do so. In an active shooter situation the nurse’s first priority should be to ensure their own safety, rather than the safety of others. This can be done by first attempting to flee the scene, secondly hiding in place, and thirdly attempting to neutralize the shooter. Attempting to stop an active shooter will likely be unsuccessful and should not be attempted unless it is the only option. Attempting to evacuate large numbers of patients during an active shooter event will not be safe. Reaching the nearest phone prior to leaving the area will increase the nurse's risk of injury.

A person in the hospital pulls out a firearm and starts shooting ...

Category: Safety and Infection Control
Difficulty: 3

Topics: Crisis Management Disease Prevention Health Care Ethics, Law, and Policy Health Care Quality Health Promotion

Want help? View the answer with rationale.

Additional Safety and Infection Control Questions

The nurse discovers a fire coming from a computer in the staff computer room. After sounding the alarm and ensuring nearby patients are being moved to safety, which is the best action for the nurse to take?

Question Type: Multiple Choice - Select One
Difficulty: 3

The registered nurse is caring for a 48-year-old patient with a surgical wound infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) requiring q6h intravenous antibiotic infusions and dressing changes twice per shift. The patient with which diagnosis is most appropriate to be added to this nurse’s assignment?

Question Type: Multiple Choice - Select One
Difficulty: 9

A fire breaks out on multiple floors of the hospital and the charge nurse has been instructed to evacuate the patients. In which order are the patients evacuated?

Question Type: Put in Order
Difficulty: 10

Show Calculator

Want help? View the answer with rationale.

Rationale

Additional Safety and Infection Control Questions

Nursing Careers

Nursing Degrees

NCLEX