When a nurse discovers a fire in a trash can in a client's room, which action should be taken first?

In the event of a fire, the priority is always to ensure the safety of individuals in the immediate vicinity. The appropriate first action entails ensuring that the client is removed from potential danger. By walking the client to the waiting room, the nurse is taking immediate action to safeguard the patient's well-being. This aligns with the fundamental principles of fire safety in healthcare settings, which emphasize the importance of patient safety and evacuation before attempting to address the fire itself or alert others.

While notifying the fire department or other staff members and attempting to extinguish the fire are important actions, they should follow the immediate priority of ensuring that the client is safe and away from the dangerous situation. The nurse’s first duty is always to protect and care for the client, making their movement to a safe location the proper first response.