Reference no: EM133653960
Assignment:
Asynchronous activity: Safety, Security, and Emergency Preparedness
Please review each scenario and answer the associated questions following each.
You are a home health care nurse visiting the home of an 86-year-old retired waitress to determine what alterations may need to be made to her environment. She was recently discharged from a rehabilitation facility where she received therapy after her stroke. She greets you at the door of her one-story house, proudly sharing that she has lived there for 65 years. Following her inside, you note that she exhibits minimal left-sided weakness but ambulates with a quad cane. You observe a clean but cluttered home with many pictures and memorabilia of her extensive family.
Scattered throughout the home are colorful throw rugs, which she indicates help cover the stains from "accidents" of her two cats and one small dog, who seem devoted to her and follow her every move. As you visually scan her kitchen, you note her several medication bottles scattered throughout. In her bedroom, you note two electrical outlets to which are connected an alarm clock, a radio, a small television, a telephone and detached answering machine, an air conditioner, an oscillating fan, and her cell phone charger. Due to her extensive appliance use within her bedroom, you observe three extension cords crossing the room to connect to the outlets.
- List data pertinent to your safety assessment.
- How might her safety be jeopardized by objects within her home?
- Detail potential strategies to increase her ambulation safety.
- How might she increase her safety in her kitchen?
- Outline strategies that could increase her safety in her bedroom.
You are a nurse caring for a 79-year-old patient who was admitted to the medical--surgical unit where you practice nursing. He was admitted from a long-term care facility with Clostridium difficile, requiring IV antifungal therapy and contact isolation. He has a history of dementia, is pleasantly confused, and is reported to wander the facility continually when he is awake. He sleeps during the day and is awake for most of your night shift.
1. In your safety assessment, which of these factors could be significant threats to the patient's safety?
2. List the factors that indicate whether this patient would be a fall risk.
3. Score his fall risk using the Hendrich II Fall Risk Model.
4. Outline potential interventions you could implement to provide a safe environment incorporating the following:
- Preventing injury
- Equipment related accidents
- Developmental considerations
- Education/Orientation
- Procedure related accidents
3. Write down the changes that would be needed in your family home if it were being safety proofed for:
a. A toddler
b. A disabled adult using a wheelchair
c. A frail older adult.