The nurse is assessing a patient who reports a previous fall and is using the SPLATT acronym. Which questions will the nurse ask the patient? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Where did you fall?
- B. What time did the fall occur?
- C. What were you doing when you fell?
- D. What types of injuries occurred after the fall?
- E. Did you obtain an electronic safety alert device after the fall?
- F. What are your medical problems that may have caused the fall?
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: The correct answers are A, B, C, and D. The SPLATT acronym stands for Symptoms, Previous falls, Location, Activity, Time, and Trauma. Therefore, the nurse should ask where the fall happened (A), what the patient was doing when they fell (C), and what types of injuries occurred after the fall (D) to assess the circumstances surrounding the fall. Asking about the time of the fall (B) helps determine if there are any time-related factors contributing to the fall. These questions provide crucial information for assessing the patient's risk factors and potential interventions. Choices E and F are incorrect because they do not directly pertain to the SPLATT components and may not provide as relevant information for assessing the fall risk in this situation.
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A nurse reviews the history of a newly admitted patient. Which finding will alert the nurse that the patient is at risk for falls?
- A. 55 years old
- B. 20/20 vision
- C. Urinary continence
- D. Orthostatic hypotension
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Orthostatic hypotension. This finding indicates a drop in blood pressure upon standing, which can lead to dizziness and falls. A 55-year-old age (choice A) does not inherently indicate fall risk. 20/20 vision (choice B) does not directly correlate with fall risk. Urinary continence (choice C) is not a significant fall risk factor. The presence of orthostatic hypotension (choice D) is a clear indicator of potential falls due to the risk of dizziness and loss of balance.
A home health nurse is performing a home assessment for safety. Which comment by the patient will cause the nurse to follow up?
- A. Every December is the time to change batteries on the carbon monoxide detector.
- B. I will schedule an appointment with a chimney inspector next week.
- C. If I feel dizzy when using the heater, I need to have it inspected.
- D. When it is cold outside in the winter, I will use a nonvented furnace.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because using a nonvented furnace can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which is a significant safety hazard. The nurse should follow up to educate the patient on the dangers of using a nonvented furnace and recommend safer heating alternatives. Choice A is correct as it emphasizes the importance of changing carbon monoxide detector batteries annually. Choice B is correct as scheduling a chimney inspection is a proactive safety measure. Choice C is correct as feeling dizzy while using a heater can indicate a potential issue. Choices E, F, and G are not applicable in this context.
The nurse is monitoring for Never Events. Which finding indicates the nurse will report a Never Event?
- A. No blood incompatibility occurs with a blood transfusion.
- B. A surgical sponge is left in the patient's incision.
- C. Pulmonary embolism after lung surgery.
- D. Stage II pressure ulcer.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because leaving a surgical sponge in a patient's incision is a Never Event - a preventable medical error that should never occur. Reporting this event is crucial for patient safety and quality care. Choices A, C, and D are not Never Events as they can occur despite adherence to best practices and guidelines. Choice A indicates a successful blood transfusion without complications, C is a known risk after lung surgery, and D can develop even with proper preventive measures.
The nurse has placed a yellow armband on a 70-year-old patient. Which observation by the nurse will indicate the patient has an understanding of this action?
- A. The patient removes the armband to bathe.
- B. The patient wears the red nonslip footwear.
- C. The patient insists on taking a “water†pill in the evening.
- D. The patient who is allergic to penicillin asks the name of a new medicine.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The patient wearing the red nonslip footwear indicates an understanding of the yellow armband. This is because the yellow armband typically signifies fall risk, and wearing red nonslip footwear is a safety measure to prevent falls. The other choices are incorrect because they do not directly relate to the significance of the yellow armband. Choice A focuses on bathing, choice C on medication timing, and choice D on medication allergies, which are not directly related to fall risk.
A home health nurse is assessing the home for fire safety. Which information from the family will cause the nurse to intervene? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Smoking in bed helps me relax and fall asleep.
- B. We never leave candles burning when we are gone.
- C. We use the same space heater my grandparents used.
- D. We use the RACE method when using the fire extinguisher.
- E. There is a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and garage workshop.
Correct Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: The correct answers are A, C, D.
A: Smoking in bed poses a significant fire hazard due to the risk of falling asleep while smoking, leading to potential ignition of bed linens.
C: Using an old space heater may increase the risk of malfunction and fire hazards, as older models may not have modern safety features.
D: Using the RACE method for fire extinguisher use (Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish) is incorrect; the correct method is PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep).
B, E: Leaving candles burning and having fire extinguishers accessible are good fire safety practices.
In summary, choices A, C, and D warrant intervention due to the increased risk of fire hazards, while choices B and E demonstrate good fire safety habits.