Senior Care Safety and Fall Prevention 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which factor is considered the most significant risk for falls in elderly residents?
- Watching too much television
- History of previous falls (Correct answer)
- Eating a high-fiber diet
- Using a recliner chair
Correct answer: History of previous falls
A history of previous falls is the single strongest predictor of future falls in older adults.
Question 2: What is the correct way to respond if a resident begins to fall while you are assisting them?
- Try to stop the fall by pulling the resident back upright forcefully
- Lower the resident safely to the floor, protecting their head (Correct answer)
- Step away to avoid injury to yourself
- Call for help and wait before touching the resident
Correct answer: Lower the resident safely to the floor, protecting their head
Guiding the resident to the floor in a controlled manner prevents injury from an uncontrolled fall.
Question 3: Which of the following is an environmental modification that can reduce fall risk?
- Placing throw rugs at the bedside
- Installing bed alarms and ensuring adequate lighting in hallways (Correct answer)
- Raising the bed to its highest position
- Keeping cords on the floor for convenience
Correct answer: Installing bed alarms and ensuring adequate lighting in hallways
Bed alarms alert staff to unsupervised movement and adequate lighting reduces trip hazards in low-visibility areas.
Question 4: What type of footwear best reduces fall risk in seniors?
- Socks only (no shoes)
- Slippers with open backs
- Non-slip, well-fitted shoes or footwear with backs (Correct answer)
- High-heeled shoes for better posture
Correct answer: Non-slip, well-fitted shoes or footwear with backs
Non-slip, well-fitted, enclosed footwear provides traction and ankle stability to reduce fall risk.
Question 5: A resident is assessed as a high fall risk. Which intervention is most appropriate?
- Restrict the resident to bed at all times
- Place the resident's call light within reach and keep the bed in the lowest position (Correct answer)
- Apply a vest restraint to prevent movement
- Move the resident to a room far from the nursing station
Correct answer: Place the resident's call light within reach and keep the bed in the lowest position
Keeping the bed low and the call light accessible empowers the resident to call for help while minimizing injury if a fall occurs.
Question 6: Which medical condition significantly increases an older adult's fall risk?
- Well-controlled hypertension
- Orthostatic hypotension (blood pressure drop upon standing) (Correct answer)
- Type 2 diabetes managed with diet
- Mild seasonal allergies
Correct answer: Orthostatic hypotension (blood pressure drop upon standing)
Orthostatic hypotension causes dizziness and lightheadedness when standing, a leading cause of falls in seniors.
Senior Care Safety and Fall Prevention 1
Which factor is considered the most significant risk for falls in elderly residents?