Safe, Effective Care Environment
30. One of the hospital-acquired conditions that Medicare will not pay for is falls. The nursing staff is responsible for fall prevention. The best predictor of the likelihood of a client falling while hospitalized is:
. The need to urinate during the night.
. A history of falling before admission.
. Presence of morning stiffness and muscle rigidity.
. Change in medications since admitted.
Test-Taking Tip
All of the options are risk factors, but a prior history and the cause of the falls is the best predictor.
Content Area: Management of Care, Safety; Integrated Process: Nursing Process, Analysis; Cognitive Level: Application; Client Need/Subneed: Safe and Effective Care Environment/Safety and Infection Control/Accident Prevention and Injury Prevention
Safe, Effective Care Environment
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Answer 1 is incorrect because there is no history stated in the stem of the question that the client is unable to get to the bathroom. In the hospital, this would increase the risk. Answer 2 is correct because the circumstances of a previous fall can be used to plan specific interventions to prevent a fall. Answer 3 is incorrect because there is an increased risk, but no history here, that the client is unable to ambulate safely. Answer 4 is incorrect because the drug effects are not known, although medications are a cause of falls.