A patient with a history of falls has been admitted to the hospital. What is the priority nursing intervention for their safety?

A patient with a history of falls has been admitted to the hospital. What is the priority nursing intervention for their safety?

• A. Monitor patient hourly
• B. Monitor neurological status
• C. Elevate side rails
• D. Provide a bedpan

Answer: (C)

Elevating side rails is a critical nursing intervention for ensuring the safety of a patient with a history of falls. This practice provides a physical barrier that can help prevent the patient from rolling out of bed, which is a primary concern for individuals who may be disoriented, weak, or unsteady. By elevating the side rails, nurses can significantly reduce the risk of falls during the night or while the patient is unattended, thereby enhancing the overall safety in the hospital setting. While monitoring the patient hourly and assessing neurological status are essential aspects of patient care, they do not directly prevent falls. Constant observation or neurological assessments may provide important information about the patient's condition, but these actions do not proactively mitigate the immediate risk of the patient falling out of bed. Providing a bedpan, while important for patient comfort and hygiene, does not address the issue of fall prevention. In situations with a high risk of falls, the primary focus should be on creating a safe and secure environment for the patient, which elevating side rails accomplishes effectively. This intervention should typically be accompanied by other measures, such as ensuring the patient’s call light is within reach and that the environment is free from hazards, but it directly addresses the critical concern of fall risk.

Elevating side rails is a critical nursing intervention for ensuring the safety of a patient with a history of falls. This practice provides a physical barrier that can help prevent the patient from rolling out of bed, which is a primary concern for individuals who may be disoriented, weak, or unsteady. By elevating the side rails, nurses can significantly reduce the risk of falls during the night or while the patient is unattended, thereby enhancing the overall safety in the hospital setting.

While monitoring the patient hourly and assessing neurological status are essential aspects of patient care, they do not directly prevent falls. Constant observation or neurological assessments may provide important information about the patient's condition, but these actions do not proactively mitigate the immediate risk of the patient falling out of bed.

Providing a bedpan, while important for patient comfort and hygiene, does not address the issue of fall prevention. In situations with a high risk of falls, the primary focus should be on creating a safe and secure environment for the patient, which elevating side rails accomplishes effectively. This intervention should typically be accompanied by other measures, such as ensuring the patient’s call light is within reach and that the environment is free from hazards, but it directly addresses the critical concern of fall risk.