Ace the Certified Medical-Surgical RN Exam 2026 – Power Up Your Nursing Game!

Implementing safety measures, such as using bed alarms and ensuring the environment is free of clutter, is essential for preventing falls in at-risk patients. This approach actively addresses the factors that contribute to falls by enhancing safety and functionality in the patient's environment.

For example, bed alarms can alert staff when a patient attempts to get out of bed unsafely, allowing for timely intervention. Similarly, keeping the environment free from clutter minimizes tripping hazards that could lead to falls.

This proactive strategy prioritizes patient independence while ensuring safety, which is crucial for patients who may have mobility issues, cognitive impairments, or other factors that increase their risk of falling. In contrast, encouraging a patient to walk unassisted overlooks their individual needs and capabilities, while restricting them to bed could lead to other complications such as deconditioning or bed sores. Avoiding communication about falls can leave patients unprepared for the risks they face and diminish their understanding of safety protocols, which is counterproductive to fall prevention.