Patient safety

The acronym "RACE" is commonly used to remember the correct steps for using a fire extinguisher.

RACE stands for Rescue - Alarm - Contain - Extinguish. The "A" in the acronym RACE stands for "activate the fire alarm and notify the appropriate person."

A client in a long-term care facility has become increasingly unsteady. The nurses are worried that the client will climb out of bed and fall. Which measure would be a priority recommendation for this client?

Raising all side rails on the bed would be a restraint, and may increase the client's risk of a fall if he or she climbs out of bed. Providing a bed that is elevated would put the client at a greater risk for a fall. Using restraints are not an option at this time, but placing the client in a bed with a bed alarm would help to prevent a fall.

The nurse educator has just completed a lecture regarding older adults and hazards in the home. The nurse educator recognizes that the education was effective when the students state that common dangers in the home setting of an older adult include:

polypharmacy and use of multiple extension cords. Older adults have significant risk of falls at home due to aging changes such as diminished cognition, vision, hearing, and balance. Multiple medications, especially those altering level of consciousness, and household objects that challenge safe mobility, are common dangers.

Factors that contribute to Falls

Age >65 History of falls Impaired vision or balance Altered gait( an abnormal walk due to injuries)or posture, impaired mobility Medication regimen Postural hypotension Slowed reaction time; weakness, frailty Confusion or disorientation Unfamiliar environment

Maintaining safety(use the nursing process)

Assessment (when you first see the patient assess ask the patient if they have fallen before or ask the patient are they afraid to fall, see if the patient has any issues to cause them to fall) ( assess your patience history of past falls or accidents, do they have devices to help them to walk like a cane) (you can also do a physical examination this is basically doing an assessment on their mobility status just ask them can I get up and walk to the other side of the room, if it takes a while or they need a chair to help them then this is a safety problem) (also during the physical examination you want to assess the ability to communicate make sure they can answer questions, assess the level of awareness or orientation assess their sensory perception which is how they feel identify potential safety hazard's within their home environment (check to see if they take a lot of medicine) and recognize manifestations of domestic violence or Neglect.) Diagnosing/planning ( check or decide if the patient is at risk for injury or risk for fall) Implementing (this is the doing stage..... make a goal to prevent injury for your patience) (my patient will not fall in the next 24 hours) Evaluating (did my patient reach her goal, evaluate to see if the patient fell within those 24 hours)

What is the most important safety concept that a nurse should include in the teaching plan for a family with a newborn infant in the household?

Avoid stuffed animals and blankets in the crib.