A nurse in an assisted-living facility reinforcing teaching with staff members about preparing for an external chemical disaster. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

A) Staff members used a class A fire extinguisher during an electrical fire.
This response indicates that the safety plan is effective because it shows that the staff used the correct type of fire extinguisher for the fire they encountered. Class A fire extinguishers are designed for ordinary combustibles (e.g., wood, paper, cloth), but using a fire extinguisher that is correctly suited to the fire type demonstrates that the staff are trained and prepared to respond appropriately in an emergency. For electrical fires, however, a Class C fire extinguisher should be used. This suggests a review of fire safety plan training might be necessary to align fire extinguisher types with fire classes.

B) Staff members review the locations of fire extinguishers every 2 to 3 years.
Reviewing the locations of fire extinguishers every 2 to 3 years is not an adequate frequency. Fire safety protocols should be reviewed more frequently to ensure that staff are consistently aware of fire extinguisher locations. Routine and more frequent checks (e.g., annually) are required to ensure proper preparedness in an emergency.

C) An evacuation was ordered during a fire when fire extinguishers were not effective.
While evacuations are necessary in certain situations, an evacuation being ordered because fire extinguishers were ineffective could indicate that the safety plan was not properly executed or that there was an issue with fire extinguisher maintenance or staff training. The effectiveness of fire safety plans should reduce the need for evacuations due to inadequate response efforts.

D) Fire alarms in the facility have the same sound as other alarms.
Fire alarms should have a distinct sound that differentiates them from other types of alarms (e.g., medical or security alarms). If fire alarms have the same sound as other alarms, it could create confusion in an emergency, undermining the effectiveness of the safety plan. The alarm system should be unique and easily identifiable.

A) Decreased platelets: A decrease in platelet count (thrombocytopenia) is often associated with conditions such as bleeding disorders, bone marrow problems, or certain infections, but it is not a direct indicator of infection. While infections can cause a drop in platelets, this is not a specific or primary indicator of infection.

B) Decreased hemoglobin: A decrease in hemoglobin is typically indicative of anemia, which can result from a variety of causes, including nutritional deficiencies, chronic disease, or blood loss. While anemia can be associated with some infections, it is not a specific indicator of infection.

C) Increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): An increased ESR is a nonspecific indicator of inflammation in the body and can be associated with infections, autoimmune diseases, and other inflammatory conditions. It is commonly elevated during infections, as the body responds to the inflammatory process. Therefore, an elevated ESR is a useful laboratory finding when suspecting an infection.

D) Increased iron level: Increased iron levels are typically associated with conditions such as hemochromatosis or iron overload, not with infections. During infections, iron levels can actually decrease due to the body's response to restrict iron availability to pathogens.