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Patient Fall Prevention and Safety

Falls are a major cause of injury in hospitals. Nurses assess fall risk and implement environmental and patient-centred safety measures.

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Key Points to Know

What you must know about Fall Prevention

1

Assess every patient for fall risk on admission and regularly thereafter.

2

High-risk groups include the elderly, confused, sedated, and those with mobility problems.

3

Keep the bed in the lowest position with brakes on and the call bell within reach.

4

Ensure adequate lighting and keep the floor free of clutter and spills.

5

Provide non-slip footwear and assist with mobilisation as needed.

6

Respond promptly to call bells and answer toileting needs to reduce unassisted movement.

NMCN Exam Tips

How this topic appears in the NMCN exam

Keep the bed low with the call bell within reach — a common safety answer.

The elderly and confused are the highest fall-risk groups.

A clutter-free, well-lit environment prevents falls.

Fall risk assessment should be done on admission.

Practice Question

Test yourself

Which nursing action is MOST appropriate to prevent falls in a confused elderly patient?

A.Keep the bed in the highest position for easy access
B.Keep the bed low, with side rails as appropriate and the call bell within reach✓ Correct
C.Leave the room dark so the patient can sleep
D.Encourage the patient to walk alone to promote independence

Explanation

Keeping the bed in the lowest position, using side rails appropriately, ensuring the call bell is within reach, and maintaining a well-lit, clutter-free environment reduce the risk of falls in a confused elderly patient.

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