When experiencing signs of a chemical exposure emergency, what is the nurse’s immediate response?

In the event of a chemical exposure emergency, the nurse's immediate response should be to initiate decontamination procedures for affected individuals. This is crucial because chemical exposures can lead to serious harm, and prompt decontamination minimizes the risk of further contamination and injury.

Decontamination helps to remove harmful substances from the skin and clothing of patients who have been exposed to chemicals, thereby reducing the likelihood of systemic absorption and secondary injuries to healthcare staff and other individuals. Additionally, initiating decontamination early can increase the effectiveness of subsequent medical treatment.

While triaging patients, obtaining health histories, and contacting experts may be important steps later in managing the emergency, they are not the immediate priorities when there is a risk of ongoing harm from chemical exposure. The focus must first be on ensuring the safety of the exposed individuals as quickly as possible.