Prevention of falls includes all except?

Appeared in: IGNOU Post B. SC. Nursing entrance -2021

Explanation

The question asks to identify the action that is an exception to fall prevention measures.
Allowing a drainage tube to dangle is a significant safety hazard, not a preventive measure.
Dangling tubes, such as IV lines, catheters, or surgical drains, can easily become tangled in a patient's feet or caught on furniture.
This creates a direct tripping hazard, increasing the risk of a fall.
Furthermore, if the tube is pulled during a fall or movement, it can be dislodged, causing pain, bleeding, and injury to the insertion site.

Option A: This is a correct and essential fall prevention strategy. Wet floors are a primary cause of slips and falls in healthcare settings.
Option B: This is a standard universal fall precaution. A low bed position reduces the potential for injury if a patient does fall out of bed and makes it easier for them to get in and out safely.
Option C: This is a valid fall prevention measure, especially for patients who are sedated, confused, or have limited mobility, as it prevents them from rolling out of bed.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Fall Prevention Strategies in a Clinical Setting as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses have a primary responsibility to maintain a safe environment for patients. This includes proactively identifying and mitigating fall risks.
A key nursing action is to 'coil and secure excess electrical, telephone, and any other cords or tubing' to reduce the risk of entanglement and tripping.
Patient and family education is crucial. Nurses must teach patients and their families about fall risks and the specific interventions being used, including the importance of calling for help before getting up.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keywords in the question. The key term here is 'except'. This means you are looking for the option that does NOT belong with the others.
Analyze the question's core concept, which is 'prevention of falls'.
Evaluate each option to determine if it is a valid fall prevention strategy.
Option A (wiping spills), Option B (low bed), and Option C (side rails) are all well-known methods to prevent falls.
Option D (allowing dangling tubes) is the outlier. Consider if this action prevents or causes falls. Dangling tubes are a clear tripping hazard.
Therefore, the action that is the 'exception' to fall prevention is allowing the drainage tube to dangle.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Fall Prevention Strategies in a Clinical Setting
Stem keywords: Prevention of falls
Lead-in keywords: except
Negative lead-in flag: This is a negative-lead question, asking what is NOT a correct action.

Qj03n-x4OdKOvJgRPU7JZI

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 2 pp. 204-206, 203-205

Practise the full IGNOU Post B. SC. Nursing entrance -2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.