A solid red-colored fire extinguisher contains which extinguishing agent?

Appeared in: KGMU 2023

Explanation

A fire extinguisher that is solid red in color, with no additional colored band, is universally coded to indicate it contains water.
Water is the extinguishing agent used for Class A fires, which involve combustible solids like wood, paper, and fabric.
Using a water extinguisher on other types of fires, such as electrical or oil fires, can be ineffective and dangerous.

Option A: Foam extinguishers are not solid red. They are identified by a cream-colored band over the red cylinder.
Option C: Wet chemical extinguishers are not solid red. They are identified by a yellow band over the red cylinder.
Option D: Carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguishers are not solid red. They are identified by a black band over the red cylinder.

Visual 1: Infographic: A chart displaying the five main types of fire extinguishers (Water, Foam, Dry Powder, CO2, Wet Chemical), their corresponding color codes, the class of fire they are used for, and pictorial examples of each fire class.
Visual 2: Diagram: A step-by-step illustration of the PASS technique (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) for operating a fire extinguisher correctly.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of fire extinguisher types based on standard color coding as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Fire safety is a critical component of ensuring a safe environment in healthcare settings. Nurses must be able to identify and use the correct fire extinguisher to protect patients, staff, and visitors.
Using the wrong type of extinguisher can worsen a fire or cause injury. For example, using a water extinguisher on an electrical fire could lead to electrocution.
Nurses are often first responders in a hospital fire and must know the RACE protocol (Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish) to manage the situation effectively until help arrives.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question testing knowledge of standard safety color codes.
First, identify the key information in the stem: 'solid red-colored fire extinguisher'. The term 'solid red' is the most important clue, implying the absence of any other color band.
Recall the standard color-coding system for fire extinguishers. Each type has a specific color code to allow for quick identification.
Associate 'solid red' with the most basic type of extinguisher, which is water.
Systematically eliminate the other options by recalling their specific color codes: Foam (cream band), Wet Chemical (yellow band), and Carbon Dioxide (black band).
Confirm that water extinguishers are used for Class A fires, which is consistent with general knowledge.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Identification of fire extinguisher types based on standard color coding.
Stem keywords: solid red-colored, fire extinguisher, extinguishing agent
Lead-in keywords: which
Negative lead-in flag: false

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Practise the full KGMU 2023

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.