Question

27. What should the home health nurse recommend to a patient if a fall occurs at home?

a. Assume a crawling position and push up from the floor.
b. Pull self up using sturdy furniture.
c. Roll to a doorway and pull up using the door knob.
d. Place the right foot flat on floor and push up on the right knee.

Answer 1

A safe way to get up after a fall involves assessing for injuries, rolling to the side, using sturdy furniture to assist in rising, and avoiding unstable objects like door knobs. It's important to remain calm and execute the steps carefully.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a fall occurs at home, the home health nurse should recommend several strategies to safely get back up. The recommendations are based on the patient's ability, strength, and the presence of any injuries. In general, a safe method to rise from a fall includes:

• Remain calm and assess for injuries before attempting to get up.
• If uninjured, the patient should roll onto their side and use their arms to push themselves up to a semi-seated position.
• Next, the patient should crawl or scoot to a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a chair or a solid table.
• Place their hands on the seat or a stable part of the furniture and slide one foot forward so the foot is flat on the floor. This provides a stable base.
• Strongly push through the hands and the flat foot to bring themselves up to a kneeling position.
• Finally, rise to a standing position by pushing up with their legs and still using the furniture for support.

It's crucial not to use unstable objects like a door knob, which could lead to another fall. The patient should always consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice and training on safe methods to recover from a fall.