Level: Clinical
Difficulty: Medium
Subtopic: Falls prevention
NCLEX: A 55-year-old client after abdominal surgery is being evaluated for high fall risk on a medical unit. Assessment…
Nursing fundamentals Basic Care and Comfort Safety and Infection Prevention and Control
Case Study
A 55-year-old client after abdominal surgery is being evaluated for high fall risk on a medical unit. Assessment data include pain 9/10 and guards the abdomen after surgery. Which intervention best reduces the client's risk of complications?
Question
A. Restrict all movement without individualized assessment.
B. Delay teaching until the day of discharge only.
C. Identify risk early, implement prevention measures, teach warning signs, and plan timely reassessment.
D. Ignore small changes until they become severe.
B. Delay teaching until the day of discharge only.
C. Identify risk early, implement prevention measures, teach warning signs, and plan timely reassessment.
D. Ignore small changes until they become severe.
Rationale
Correct answer: C. Identify risk early, implement prevention measures, teach warning signs, and plan timely reassessment.
Rationale: Risk reduction focuses on early identification, prevention, teaching, and reassessment rather than unnecessary restriction or delay.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.
Rationale: Risk reduction focuses on early identification, prevention, teaching, and reassessment rather than unnecessary restriction or delay.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.