Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Prometric Practice Exam

What is the first action a nurse aide should take upon discovering smoke in a resident's room?

1. Evacuate all residents

2. Check if anyone is in the room

3. Sound the alarm

4. Extinguish the fire

The correct answer is: Check if anyone is in the room

Upon discovering smoke in a resident's room, the most appropriate initial action is to check if anyone is in the room. This step is crucial because the safety and well-being of the individuals present must be prioritized. By determining whether there are residents or staff in immediate danger, the nurse aide can then take appropriate follow-up actions to ensure their safety. This initial assessment allows the nurse aide to gauge the severity of the situation and make informed decisions on whether to alert others or start an evacuation. It's critical to ensure that everyone is accounted for and to assess the situation before escalating to other actions such as sounding the alarm or attempting to extinguish a fire. Understanding the immediate environment can help in managing the incident more effectively. The focus should always be on human safety first in emergency scenarios.