What is the first action a CNA should take when discovering a resident has fallen?

What is the first action a CNA should take when discovering a resident has fallen?

• A. Move the resident to a safe position before assessing.
• B. Ensure safety, call for help, check responsiveness and breathing, and report findings to the nurse.
• C. Document the fall in the chart and wait for the nurse.
• D. Attempt to stand the resident up to check for injuries.

Answer: (B)

When a fall is discovered, the immediate priority is to protect the resident and start a rapid, appropriate assessment. Begin by making the environment safe and ensuring the resident won’t be moved unless there’s immediate danger or you’re preparing to provide life-saving care. Then call for help and alert the nurse so a professional assessment can begin right away. Next, quickly check whether the resident is responsive and whether they are breathing. If they are awake and breathing, keep them as comfortable as possible and position them safely while you wait for the nurse. If the resident is unresponsive or not breathing, follow your training for emergency response and am I not?—activate the emergency system and begin CPR if trained, while continuing to assist as directed. After this initial assessment, report clearly to the nurse what you observed: the resident’s responsiveness, breathing status, any visible injuries or pain, and the ability or inability to move any limbs. Documentation and further care will follow, but the first actions focus on safety, quick assessment, and informing the nurse so a proper care plan can be started. Moving the resident before assessing can cause additional harm, especially if a spinal injury is possible, so it’s avoided unless absolutely necessary.

When a fall is discovered, the immediate priority is to protect the resident and start a rapid, appropriate assessment. Begin by making the environment safe and ensuring the resident won’t be moved unless there’s immediate danger or you’re preparing to provide life-saving care. Then call for help and alert the nurse so a professional assessment can begin right away.

Next, quickly check whether the resident is responsive and whether they are breathing. If they are awake and breathing, keep them as comfortable as possible and position them safely while you wait for the nurse. If the resident is unresponsive or not breathing, follow your training for emergency response and am I not?—activate the emergency system and begin CPR if trained, while continuing to assist as directed.

After this initial assessment, report clearly to the nurse what you observed: the resident’s responsiveness, breathing status, any visible injuries or pain, and the ability or inability to move any limbs. Documentation and further care will follow, but the first actions focus on safety, quick assessment, and informing the nurse so a proper care plan can be started. Moving the resident before assessing can cause additional harm, especially if a spinal injury is possible, so it’s avoided unless absolutely necessary.