Question

The nurse is caring for a confused patient. What should the nurse do to prevent this patient from falling?

1)Encourage the patient to use the corridor handrails
2)Place the patient in a room near the nurses' station
3)Reinforce how to use the call bell
4)Maintain 1:1 supervision

Answer 1

To prevent falls, nurses should place confused patients near the nurses' station for close monitoring, teach them to use handrails and the call bell, and possibly employ 1:1 supervision for their safety.

Step-by-step explanation:

To prevent a confused patient from falling, the nurse should place the patient in a room near the nurses' station, encourage the use of the corridor handrails, reinforce how to properly use the call bell, and maintain 1:1 supervision if necessary.

Placing the patient in a room near the nurses' station allows for more frequent observation and quicker intervention if they attempt to get up unassisted. Teaching the patient to use the corridor handrails gives them a safer option to support themselves if they need to walk. Reinforcing the use of the call bell ensures they know how to request assistance when needed. While 1:1 supervision can be resource-intensive, it provides continuous monitoring and immediate help, which is essential for patients at high risk of falling.

The prevention of falls in confused patients is a critical patient care responsibility. Through strategic room placement, orientation to safety features, and potentially constant supervision, nurses can significantly reduce the risk of falls in a vulnerable population.