Question

ch 13 workbook 2 avoiding accidents & incidents (10 q/15 pts) gr 1
falls are the leading cause of accidental deaths in a health care setting. as a nursing assistant, you will take many measures to prevent your patients or residents from falling & injuring themselves. match the following rationales with the fall prevention guideline.
keep the patients or residents bed as low as possible
keep a disoriented patient or resident who could be at high risk of falling close to the nurses station
check that the patients or residents clothing and shoes fit properly
remove clutter from pathways used for walking & provide adequate lighting
check equipment used by the patient or resident, such as wheelchairs, canes, and walkers
make sure the call light control is within easy reach of the person, answer call lights promptly, and offer to help with toileting frequently
:: removing obstructions can easily minimize falls; lighting enhances the ability to see
:: allows staff to keep an eye on the person; may minimize feelings of being lonely & searching for company
:: many falls are the result of a person trying to make it to the bathroom without assistance
:: minimizes distance from bed to floor if they fall out of bed
:: long or loose clothing or shoes with inadequate foot supports could lead to tripping
:: malfunctioning or broken equipment increases a persons risk for accidents

Explanation:

1. For "Keep the patient's or resident's bed as low as possible":

• The rationale is that it minimizes the distance from bed to floor if they fall out of bed.

1. For "Keep a disoriented patient or resident who could be at high risk of falling close to the nurses' station":

• It allows staff to keep an eye on the person and may minimize feelings of being lonely and searching for company.

1. For "Check that the patient's or resident's clothing and shoes fit properly":

• Long or loose clothing or shoes with inadequate foot supports could lead to tripping.

1. For "Remove clutter from pathways used for walking & provide adequate lighting":

• Removing obstructions can easily minimize falls, and lighting enhances the ability to see.

1. For "Check equipment used by the patient or resident, such as wheelchairs, canes, and walkers":

• Malfunctioning or broken equipment increases a person's risk for accidents.

1. For "Make sure the call light control is within easy reach of the person, answer call lights promptly, and offer to help with toileting frequently":

• Many falls are the result of a person trying to make it to the bathroom without assistance.

Answer:

1. Keep the patient's or resident's bed as low as possible - minimizes distance from bed to floor if they fall out of bed.
2. Keep a disoriented patient or resident who could be at high risk of falling close to the nurses' station - allows staff to keep an eye on the person; may minimize feelings of being lonely & searching for company.
3. Check that the patient's or resident's clothing and shoes fit properly - long or loose clothing or shoes with inadequate foot supports could lead to tripping.
4. Remove clutter from pathways used for walking & provide adequate lighting - removing obstructions can easily minimize falls, lighting enhances the ability to see.
5. Check equipment used by the patient or resident, such as wheelchairs, canes, and walkers - malfunctioning or broken equipment increases a person's risk for accidents.
6. Make sure the call light control is within easy reach of the person, answer call lights promptly, and offer to help with toileting frequently - many falls are the result of a person trying to make it to the bathroom without assistance.