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What age group is the most at risk for falling?
Older adults (65 & up)
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What factors increase the risk for falling?
- age
- a history of previous falls
- gait disturbance
- balance and mobility problems
- postural hypotension
- sensory impairment
- urinary and bladder dysfunction
- certain medical diagnostic categories (ex: cancer, neurological)
- drug use
One of the more common factors precipitating a fall is a client's attempt to get out of bed to toilet.
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Most common & serious fall injury?
Hip-fractures
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Restraint
device used to restrict patient with/without their permission
The optimal goal for all clients is a restraint-free environment; however, clients who are at risk for injury from wandering, falls, and disruptive or agitated behavior may need restraints temporarily
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Install treads with uniform depth of 9 inches (22.5 cm) and 9-inch risers (vertical face of steps).
How would this prevent falls?
- When stairs are of uniform size, older adults do not have to continually adjust vision.
- see table 38-1 on pg.830
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Install uniform-textured or plain-colored surfaces on each tread, and mark edge of tread with contrasting color.
How would this prevent falls?
- Uniform textures or color help to decrease vertigo. Marking edge of tread provides obvious visual clue to end of stair.
- see table 38-1 on pg.830
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Nine Life-Saving Patient Safety Solutions
Box 38-2, pg. 816
- Be aware of look-alike, sound-alike medication names
- Use patient identification
- Communication during patient handover
- Perform correct procedure at correct body site
- Control concentrated electrolyte solutions
- Ensure medication accuracy during transition (admission & discharge)
- Avoid catheter and tubing misconnections
- Do not reuse single-use injection devices
- Hand hygiene
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R.A.C.E.
R - Rescue and remove all clients in immediate danger.
A - Activate the alarm. Always do this before attempting to extinguish even a minor fire.
C - Confine the fire by closing doors and windows and turning off oxygen and electrical equipment.
E - Extinguish fire.
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Infant, toddler, preschooler
- Prone to accidents (many are preventable)
- Accident prevention requires parent education
- Choking, falling, burns
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School-age child
- Require education about safe play; should use protective safety equipment for sports **HELMETS**
- lots of concussions
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Adolescents
- Drugs & alcohol
- Sex - proper protection
- Car accidents (*seat belts*)
- Drowning
- Suicides attempts
- TOO MUCH SUN
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Adult
- Lifestyle (drugs, alcohol, sex)
- Drunk driving
- Stress
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Older Adults
- Senses are poor
- Changes in depth perception
- Polypharmacy – multiple drugs for multiple reasons
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What measures can be put in place to reduce falls by older adults?
- hand rails in bathroom
- adequate lighting
- make sure things are within reach (reorganizing)
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