Question

A nurse is assessing an older adult client's risk for falls. Which of the following assessments should the nurse use to identify the client's safety needs?

A) Blood Pressure Measurement
B) Cognitive Function Assessment
C) Respiratory Rate Monitoring
D) Skin Integrity Check

Answer 1

To identify an older adult's risk for falls, a nurse should use a Cognitive Function Assessment as it directly evaluates the mental faculties crucial for maintaining balance and avoiding falling hazards.

Step-by-step explanation:

To assess an older adult client's risk for falls, the nurse should use a Cognitive Function Assessment. This assessment can help identify the client's safety needs by determining their orientation and memory, language and speech, sensorium, and judgment and abstract reasoning. Whilst measuring Blood Pressure can identify issues like hypotension which might contribute to falls, and checking Respiratory Rate and Skin Integrity can inform about overall health status, the Cognitive Function Assessment directly evaluates the mental faculties that are crucial in maintaining balance and avoiding hazards that could lead to falls.