A new mother on the postpartum unit runs out of the room screaming that her newborn infant's crib is empty and the baby is missing. Which action should the nurse take first?

A. Matching ID bands of all infants and mothers on the unit is an important step in ensuring infant safety and preventing mix-ups. However, this action does not address the immediate need to secure the facility and prevent the potential abduction of the newborn. B. Determining if the newborn is in the nursery is important, but it is not the first priority. The nurse must act immediately to secure the unit and prevent the possibility of the infant being removed from the hospital. C. Asking the mother if any visitors were expected may provide helpful information, but it is not the first action. The priority is to ensure the safety of all infants and prevent unauthorized exits from the facility. D. Activating the lockdown procedure is the first and most critical action. This ensures that all exits are secured, preventing the potential abductor from leaving the facility. Once the lockdown is in place, the nurse can proceed with further actions to locate the infant and investigate the situation.