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?

The correct answer is Choice D. Choice A rationale: Asking about expected visitors may help identify potential suspects, but it delays immediate containment. In suspected infant abduction, time-sensitive security actions take precedence over information gathering. Choice B rationale: Matching ID bands verifies infant identity and prevents misidentification, but it is a secondary step. It does not prevent unauthorized exit or secure the facility during a potential abduction. Choice C rationale: Checking the nursery may locate the infant, but without lockdown, the baby could be removed from the unit. Search efforts must follow immediate security containment to prevent escape. Choice D rationale: Lockdown procedures secure all exits, preventing unauthorized removal of the infant. It is the first and most critical action in suspected abduction, aligning with hospital emergency protocols