CNA Preventing Patient Falls and Injuries 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient with a history of falls is about to get out of bed. Which action should the CNA take FIRST?
- Assist the patient to stand immediately
- Check the care plan for fall precaution orders (Correct answer)
- Apply a gait belt before any movement
- Lower the bed to its lowest position
Correct answer: Check the care plan for fall precaution orders
The CNA must check the care plan first to follow specific fall precaution orders before assisting the patient.
Question 2: Which environmental modification MOST effectively reduces nighttime fall risk?
- Keeping the room completely dark to promote sleep
- Installing a night light in the bathroom pathway (Correct answer)
- Raising all four side rails on the bed
- Placing the call light out of easy reach to discourage unnecessary calls
Correct answer: Installing a night light in the bathroom pathway
A night light in the bathroom pathway improves visibility and reduces the risk of falls during nighttime ambulation.
Question 3: A patient's blood pressure drops significantly when they stand up. This condition is called:
- Hypertensive crisis
- Orthostatic hypotension (Correct answer)
- Bradycardia
- Syncope
Correct answer: Orthostatic hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in blood pressure upon standing that can cause dizziness and increase fall risk.
Question 4: Which statement about restraints and fall prevention is MOST accurate?
- Restraints always prevent falls and should be used proactively
- Restraints require a physician's order and should be used as a last resort (Correct answer)
- CNAs can apply restraints whenever they feel a patient is at risk
- Soft wrist restraints are safe to apply without an order
Correct answer: Restraints require a physician's order and should be used as a last resort
Restraints require a physician's order, must be the least restrictive option, and are considered a last resort in fall prevention.
Question 5: A patient is using a walker for the first time after hip surgery. Which observation indicates UNSAFE technique?
- The patient moves the walker forward before stepping
- The patient looks down at their feet while walking (Correct answer)
- The patient keeps elbows slightly bent while using the walker
- The patient moves only to the distance the walker is placed
Correct answer: The patient looks down at their feet while walking
Looking down while walking disrupts balance and spatial awareness, increasing fall risk; patients should look forward.
Question 6: Which patient is at HIGHEST risk for a fall-related injury?
- A 30-year-old patient recovering from appendectomy
- An 80-year-old patient on blood thinners with osteoporosis (Correct answer)
- A 45-year-old patient with a mild headache
- A 60-year-old patient who is alert and ambulatory independently
Correct answer: An 80-year-old patient on blood thinners with osteoporosis
An elderly patient on anticoagulants with osteoporosis faces compounded risks: greater fall likelihood, serious bleeding, and fracture risk.
Question 7: After a patient fall with no apparent injury, the CNA should:
- Help the patient up immediately and return them to bed
- Stay with the patient, call for the nurse, and not move the patient until assessed (Correct answer)
- Document the fall and continue with other duties
- Reassure the patient that everything is fine and assist them to a chair
Correct answer: Stay with the patient, call for the nurse, and not move the patient until assessed
The CNA must stay with the patient, alert the nurse, and avoid moving the patient until a proper assessment rules out hidden injuries.
CNA Preventing Patient Falls and Injuries 3
A patient with a history of falls is about to get out of bed.
Which action should the CNA take FIRST?