Question

what strategy can be used to decrease the risk of falls in patients who have cognitive impairment?
select the correct answer and click submit.

• develop a surveillance plan such as continuous virtual monitoring.
• suggest physical restraints to prevent patient falls.
• move patients into a room with another patient who is able to monitor them.
• lock the bathroom door to prevent patient access to this area.

Explanation:

Analyze the clinical safety of each option

• Option 1: Continuous virtual monitoring provides non-invasive, real-time surveillance to alert staff immediately if a cognitively impaired patient attempts to get up, directly reducing fall risk.
• Option 2: Physical restraints are highly restricted, increase agitation, and can lead to more severe injuries if a patient tries to bypass them.
• Option 3: Placing the burden of monitoring on another patient violates safety, privacy, and professional care standards.
• Option 4: Locking bathroom doors creates a major safety hazard and restricts basic physiological needs.

Determine the safest evidence-based strategy

• Continuous virtual monitoring is an established, safe, and effective technological intervention for high-risk patients with cognitive impairment.

Answer:

• (A) Develop a surveillance plan such as continuous virtual monitoring. (Correct answer)
• (B) Suggest physical restraints to prevent patient falls.
• (C) Move patients into a room with another patient who is able to monitor them.
• (D) Lock the bathroom door to prevent patient access to this area.