CNA Preventing Patient Falls and Injuries 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient's bed alarm goes off while you are caring for another resident. What is the correct first action?
- Finish the current task, then respond
- Immediately go to the alarming patient's room (Correct answer)
- Ask the charge nurse to handle it
- Silence the alarm remotely and respond when free
Correct answer: Immediately go to the alarming patient's room
Bed alarms signal that a patient may be attempting to get up without assistance, creating an immediate fall risk. The CNA must respond immediately.
Bed alarms are designed to alert staff the moment a fall risk patient begins moving. Delayed response allows the patient to stand unsupported, dramatically increasing the likelihood of a fall and serious injury. A CNA must stop non-urgent tasks and respond at once.
Question 2: Which environmental factor is MOST commonly associated with patient falls in long-term care facilities?
- Dim lighting in hallways
- Wet or slippery floors
- Cluttered pathways near the bed (Correct answer)
- Improperly adjusted bed height
Correct answer: Cluttered pathways near the bed
Cluttered pathways — including cords, footrests, and personal items — are a leading environmental cause of patient falls.
While all listed factors contribute to falls, clutter around and between the bed and bathroom is statistically the top environmental hazard. CNAs must ensure a clear path at all times, especially at night when lighting is reduced and patients may be disoriented.
Question 3: A patient rated as high fall risk needs to use the restroom. What is the safest approach?
- Provide a bedside commode and assist the patient to it (Correct answer)
- Allow the patient to walk slowly with the call light nearby
- Leave the bathroom door open so you can hear them
- Hand them a urinal and check back in five minutes
Correct answer: Provide a bedside commode and assist the patient to it
A bedside commode minimizes ambulation distance for high-risk patients and keeps the CNA close for hands-on assistance.
For patients classified as high fall risk, minimizing unsupported ambulation is key. Placing a bedside commode adjacent to the bed and actively assisting the transfer reduces the risk compared to walking to the bathroom. The CNA should remain present throughout the process.
Question 4: When should a gait belt be applied before ambulating a fall-risk patient?
- Only when the patient requests it
- Every time the patient ambulates, per care plan (Correct answer)
- Only during physical therapy sessions
- When the patient has a history of falls in the past year
Correct answer: Every time the patient ambulates, per care plan
Gait belts should be used every time a fall-risk patient ambulates, as specified in the care plan, to provide a secure grip if the patient loses balance.
The gait belt provides the CNA with a firm, safe grip around the patient's waist. Using it consistently — not selectively — ensures the CNA is always prepared to prevent or control a fall. The care plan specifies which patients require a gait belt, and compliance must be 100%.
Question 5: A patient begins to fall while you are walking beside them. What is the correct technique to minimize injury?
- Step away quickly to avoid being pulled down
- Grasp the gait belt firmly and lower the patient gently to the floor (Correct answer)
- Pull the patient upright using their arm
- Call for help before doing anything else
Correct answer: Grasp the gait belt firmly and lower the patient gently to the floor
Using the gait belt to control a controlled descent to the floor protects the patient from the impact of an uncontrolled fall.
When a patient starts to fall, attempting to hold them upright can injure both the patient and the CNA. The correct technique is to use the gait belt to guide a slow, controlled descent to the floor, protecting the patient's head. The CNA then calls for help and does not attempt to lift the patient alone.
Question 6: Which action best reduces nighttime fall risk for elderly patients?
- Keeping overhead lights on throughout the night
- Installing a night light and ensuring a clear path to the bathroom (Correct answer)
- Waking the patient every two hours to use the bathroom
- Restricting fluids after 6 PM to reduce bathroom trips
Correct answer: Installing a night light and ensuring a clear path to the bathroom
A night light and clear pathway address the two primary nighttime fall factors: poor visibility and obstacles.
Elderly patients have reduced night vision and may be disoriented upon waking. A low-level night light provides orientation cues without disrupting sleep cycles, while a clear pathway eliminates trip hazards. Fluid restriction can cause dehydration and is not an appropriate fall-prevention measure.
CNA Preventing Patient Falls and Injuries 2
A patient's bed alarm goes off while you are caring for another resident.
What is the correct first action?