Preventing Patient Falls and Injuries Flashcards
7 cards from real CNA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Preventing Patient Falls and Injuries flashcards as text
A patient who was continent yesterday now has urinary urgency. How does this change your fall prevention approach?
Answer: Place the patient on a scheduled toileting program and keep the path to the bathroom clear
New urinary urgency is a major fall risk because patients rush to the bathroom; a scheduled toileting program and clear path reduce this risk immediately.
Which action by the CNA demonstrates correct use of a gait belt during ambulation?
Answer: Gripping the belt firmly at the patient's side or back with an underhand grasp
A firm underhand grasp on the gait belt at the side or back gives the CNA the best control to support or break a fall.
A patient's fall risk assessment score increased after starting a new medication. Which type of drug most commonly contributes to fall risk?
Answer: Antihypertensives and diuretics
Antihypertensives and diuretics can cause orthostatic hypotension and frequent urination, both significant fall risk factors.
The nurse asks you to apply non-skid socks to a patient. The patient refuses and says regular socks are fine. What should the CNA do?
Answer: Explain the safety reason, document the refusal, and notify the nurse
Patients have the right to refuse care, but the CNA must explain risks, document the refusal, and report it to the nurse for follow-up.
Which environmental modification is MOST effective for a patient who falls when getting out of bed at night?
Answer: Using a night light, keeping the path clear, and placing the call light within reach
Adequate lighting, a clear path, and an accessible call light address the most common nighttime fall factors without restraining the patient.
A patient using a walker stops mid-hallway and says they feel dizzy. What is the CNA's first action?
Answer: Help the patient sit or lean against the wall and call for assistance
The priority is to stabilize the patient immediately — have them sit or lean safely — then call for help before leaving them alone.
Which statement about postural (orthostatic) hypotension and fall prevention is accurate?
Answer: Having the patient dangle at the bedside before standing helps the body adjust to position changes
Dangling at the bedside allows blood pressure to gradually equalize before the patient fully bears weight, reducing the risk of a fall from dizziness.