Question

You are ambulating Mr. B in the hallway with a gait belt when he begins to fall. You should:

A. grasp the belt firmly and hold Mr. B up until help arrives.
B. pull the belt toward your body and ease the client down your leg to the floor.
C. call for another nurse aide to bring a chair to seat the client in.
D. let go of the belt and allow Mr. Chang to slide down the floor slowly.

Answer 1

When Mr. B begins to fall, you should pull the gait belt toward your body and gently lower him down your leg to the floor to prevent injury. It's important to maintain a firm grip and protect his head, then call for assistance once he is safely on the ground. the correct option is B. pull the belt toward your body and ease the client down your leg to the floor.

Step-by-step explanation:

If Mr. B begins to fall while you are assisting him with ambulation using a gait belt, the correct action is to pull the belt toward your body and ease the client down your leg to the floor. This technique is to gently lower Mr. B in a controlled manner to prevent injury.

You would start by widening your stance to provide a stable base, then bend your knees while keeping your back straight to lower him carefully down your body. It is crucial to maintain a firm grip on the gait belt and support the client as much as possible during the descent. It's also essential to protect the client's head by cradling it if it is near the floor. Once the client is safely on the ground, stay with him, reassure him, and call for additional help as needed.

Do not attempt to hold Mr. B up completely as this could result in injury to both you and the client. Calling for assistance is important, but the immediate concern is to prevent injury during the fall.