Question

What type of approach should the nurse use to reduce falls in the older adult in the acute care setting?

A) Increase medication without adjustments
B) Encourage physical activity
C) Remove all mobility aids
D) Ignore environmental hazards

Answer 1

The nurse should encourage physical activity in older adults to reduce falls in an acute care setting, as it helps maintain their mobility and strength, vital for preventing falls.

Step-by-step explanation:

The type of approach a nurse should use to reduce falls in the older adult in the acute care setting is encouraging physical activity. This approach helps maintain or improve the patient's mobility and strength, which are crucial factors for preventing falls. Implementing a falls prevention program might include assessing the individual's risk factors, providing education on fall prevention strategies, ensuring proper flooring and lighting, and installing handrails and other assistive devices. It's also important to review and manage medications as some can increase the risk of falls, but increasing medication without adjustments is not advisable. Removing mobility aids can lead to more falls, and ignoring environmental hazards would be detrimental to patient safety.