A nurse volunteers to help decontaminate a victim. Which of the following is the first action that the nurse should take?

a. Ciprofloxacin
In mass casualty incidents involving anthrax, treatment with ciprofloxacin or doxycycline is recommended. Overall recommended agents for treating anthrax include penicillin, erythromycin, gentamicin, and doxcycline.
b. Cyanide
They administer one or all of the following antidotes: amyl nitrate, sodium nitrate, and sodium thiosulfate. Amyl nitrate promotes the formation of methemoglobin, which combines with cyanide to form nontoxic cyanmethemoglobin. Therefore, options A, B, and D are incorrect.
c. Removing victim's clothing and jewelry
To be effective, decontamination must include a minimum of two steps. The first step is removing the patient's clothing and jewelry and then rinsing the patient with water. The second step consists of a thorough soap and water wash and rinse.
d. Impaired gas exchange related to destruction of the pulmonary membrane
Phosgene vapor is a pulmonary agent that destroys the pulmonary membrane leading to pulmonary edema, with shortness of breath. Therefore, impaired gas exchange would be the priority. Impaired skin integrity would be appropriate for exposure to a vesicant. Disturbed sensory perception, visual would be appropriate for a client exposed to a nerve agent. Decreased cardiac output would be appropriate for a client exposed to a blood agent, such as cyanide, which inhibits aerobic metabolism