For resident falls, which statement is true?

For resident falls, which statement is true?

• A. An incident report will need to be completed for all falls.
• B. If the resident can get up after the fall, the NA should not notify the nurse.
• C. A fall does not need to be reported unless the resident complains of pain.
• D. The resident can decide if the NA needs to report the fall.

Answer: (D)

Safety and care involve honoring the resident’s role in decisions about their information and care actions. The statement that the resident can decide if the NA needs to report the fall centers on this idea of resident involvement in what is shared and who is informed. In practice, this means you should discuss the situation with the resident, respect their preferences about information sharing, and include them in the reporting conversation while still following facility policies that require notifying the nurse and completing the incident report. After a fall, focus first on safety: stay with the resident, check for injuries if you’re trained to do so, call for help as needed, and prevent further harm. The nurse should be informed promptly and an incident report documented as part of safety and accountability.

Safety and care involve honoring the resident’s role in decisions about their information and care actions. The statement that the resident can decide if the NA needs to report the fall centers on this idea of resident involvement in what is shared and who is informed. In practice, this means you should discuss the situation with the resident, respect their preferences about information sharing, and include them in the reporting conversation while still following facility policies that require notifying the nurse and completing the incident report. After a fall, focus first on safety: stay with the resident, check for injuries if you’re trained to do so, call for help as needed, and prevent further harm. The nurse should be informed promptly and an incident report documented as part of safety and accountability.