Safety and Fall Prevention Nursing Review

This flashcard set covers the essential concepts of patient safety, developmental risks, fall prevention protocols (like the RACE mnemonic and Hendrich II model), and the proper use of incident reports based on the lecture transcript.

Environmental Safety

Includes all physical and psychosocial factors that influence the life and survival of a client, focusing on reducing physical hazards and transmission of pathogens while maintaining sanitation.

Infant, toddler, and preschooler safety

Developmental stage where injuries are the leading cause of death; safety mandates include car seats, carriers, and keeping cleaning solutions in locked areas.

Adolescent safety risks

Threats related to greater independence and potential engagement in risk-taking behaviors.

Medical errors

Identified as the $4^{th}$ leading cause of death (with some research suggesting it is the $3^{rd}$), often occurring due to system failures.

RACE mnemonic

A protocol for fire safety: R—rescue and remove all clients in danger, A—activate the alarm, C—confine the fire, E—extinguish the fire.

Nursing History (Safety Assessment)

Process of assessing history of falls, assistive devices, drug or alcohol abuse, and knowledge of family support systems or home environment.

Physical Examination (Safety Assessment)

Includes assessing mobility, communication, level of awareness, sensory perception, and identifying manifestations of domestic violence or neglect.

Postural hypotension

A specific physiological factor that contributes to falls alongside other factors like impaired vision, altered gait, and slowed reaction time.

Fall statistics in hospitals

Falls account for $90\%$ of reported incidents in hospitals, with a previous fall serving as the strongest indicator of future risk.

Hendrich II Fall Risk Model

A specific tool used for the standardized assessment of fall risk in patients.

Incident Report

A document completed after an accident describing circumstances and patient response; it is not part of the medical record and should not be mentioned in documentation.

Universal fall precautions

One of the four categories of fall prevention practices, used in conjunction with standardized assessments and post-fall analysis.

Fall Risk Factors for age $> 65$

Includes history of falls, impaired balance, medication regimen, confusion, and unfamiliar environments.

ADLs (Activities of Daily Living)

Refers to the daily tasks into which accident prevention practices should be incorporated to ensure a patient remains free of injury.