A nurse discusses three priority actions to take if an active shooter appears at the local hospital with newly licensed nurses. What should the nurse include in the discussion?

A. Attempting to tackle an active shooter is extremely dangerous and is generally considered a last resort only when life is in imminent danger. Nurses are not trained in combat or law enforcement tactics, and such actions often lead to fatal outcomes. The primary focus of hospital staff during such an event should be on the safety of themselves and their patients. B. Negotiation is a specialized skill handled by trained law enforcement professionals and is not a recommended action for nursing staff. Attempting to talk to a shooter can draw unnecessary attention to one's location and escalate the violence. The objective during an active shooter event is to maximize distance and barriers between the staff and the threat. C. While running is the first priority of the "Run, Hide, Fight" protocol, it should not be done "no matter what." Running must be done only if there is an accessible and safe escape path away from the sounds of gunfire. Moving blindly into an area where the shooter might be located increases the risk of being targeted by the assailant. D. Hiding is the critical secondary action when a safe escape route is not available or the shooter's location is unknown. Nurses should secure themselves in a room, lock the doors, turn off the lights, and remain silent to avoid detection. This strategy provides a physical barrier and reduces the visibility of potential targets until law enforcement arrives to secure the scene.