A nurse is caring for a client when the safety on the bed plug's electrical outlet pops and begins to smoke.
Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?

Choice A rationale:

"I will keep my walker at the end of my bed." This statement indicates that the client understands the importance of having the walker within reach. Placing the walker at the end of the bed ensures that the client can use it immediately upon getting up, providing support and stability, thus reducing the risk of falls.

Choice B rationale:

"I will keep the fluorescent ceiling light on in my room at night." While having adequate lighting is important, using a fluorescent ceiling light throughout the night might disrupt the client's sleep. Additionally, a nightlight or a bedside lamp with a low-wattage bulb can provide sufficient illumination without disturbing sleep.

Choice C rationale:

"I will place an area rug at the entry of my bathroom." This statement indicates a lack of understanding. Area rugs can be tripping hazards, especially in areas prone to moisture like bathrooms. It is advisable to remove rugs and ensure non-slip flooring to prevent slips and falls.

Choice D rationale:

"I will place a bath seat in my shower to use when I bathe." While using a bath seat is a good safety measure, it does not address the client's risk of falling outside the shower area. Installing grab bars and non-slip mats in the bathroom, along with removing potential hazards, would be more comprehensive in ensuring the client's safety. .

The correct answer is choice C: Move any clients to safety.

Choice C rationale: The nurse's priority is always client safety. In the event of an electrical issue that poses a potential risk, such as smoke or fire, the nurse should first ensure that any clients in the area are moved to a safe location. This aligns with the widely-used RACE acronym for fire response (Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish), which highlights the importance of removing individuals from danger before attending to other aspects of fire safety.

Choice A rationale: Using a fire extinguisher is an appropriate action to take when dealing with a small, manageable fire. However, in this scenario, ensuring client safety takes precedence over attempting to extinguish the source of the smoke. This is also in line with the RACE mnemonic, which emphasizes the importance of prioritizing evacuation.

Choice B rationale: Activating the fire alarm is an important step to alert others in the building about a potential fire and the need for evacuation. However, the priority remains client safety, so moving clients to a safe location should be the nurse's initial response, following the RACE acronym.

In summary, the nurse's priority action when encountering an electrical hazard is to move clients to safety. After ensuring client safety, the nurse can then activate the fire alarm and, if trained to do so, use a fire extinguisher on the outlet if necessary. This approach aligns with the RACE mnemonic, which serves as a guideline for fire response.