Question

The nurse enters a patient's room and finds them lying on the floor. They report that they fell trying to get out of bed. The RN contacts the Charge nurse, who then contacts the nursing supervisor and care provider to inform them of the accident. Next, the nurse completes an incident report because:

a) It is required for insurance purposes
b)The patient insists on filing a report
c) It is a routine procedure after any patient fall
d)The nurse wants to share the information with colleagues

Answer 1

The nurse completes an incident report as a standard procedure following a patient's fall, aiming to improve future patient safety and care.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse completes an incident report after a patient falls because it is a routine procedure after any patient fall. This is a safety and quality control measure that ensures the incident is officially recorded and investigated to improve future patient care. Completing an incident report allows healthcare providers to analyze the circumstances that led to the fall, take necessary actions to prevent future incidents, and ensures continuous improvement in patient safety. This documentation process may include reviewing crucial details like the name of the procedure, confirmation of all equipment counts, the accurate labeling of any specimens, and any potential equipment issues that may have contributed to the fall, as described in the examples provided.