After a fire alarm is sounded, what is the recommended action for the medical assistant?

• A. Get all patients out, close doors, and exit building
• B. Call the fire department from inside
• C. Return to patient rooms
• D. Wait for someone else

Answer: (A)

When a fire alarm sounds, the priority is to get everyone to safety quickly. The best action is to evacuate all patients, close doors behind you to slow the spread of fire and smoke, and exit the building to a safe area. Closing doors helps contain the fire and protects others as you move to safety. Returning to patient rooms or waiting for someone else wastes precious seconds and puts people at risk. Calling the fire department from inside can be done if it won’t delay evacuation, but the immediate objective is to leave the building first and report to a designated assembly point once you’re safely outside.