Falls
What is the FIRST thing staff should do after observing a fall?
Assess resident for injuries
How should staff provide first aid to a resident who has incurred a burn?
Cool the burn immediately with cold water.
Call 9-1-1 if the burn is large.
Name 3 signs of a stroke
Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.
Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Facial Drooping/ drooling
How should first aid be provided for minor cuts or scrapes?
Use direct pressure with gauze or dressings as needed to stop bleeding.
Wash gently with soap and water or wound wash.
Apply a clean bandage to protect the site.
List 3 things that should be done prior to assisting a resident off of the floor from a fall
Vital signs
Blood sugar if diabetic
Assess for injuries, including head injury, pain, ROM
Assess level of consciousness
What should staff do after attending an emergency?
When the resident is safe, staff should call the on-call nurse to update on the incident. Staff should document in writing the incident, a description of the injury, first aid measures taken, and any emergency response and transport that occurred. Contact resident’s primary contact family for any falls or emergency transport.
A diabetic resident has a blood sugar of 64.
They are awake and alert, but report feeling “shaky”
What should you do?
Give a ½ glass of juice or regular soda, a full glass of milk, candy, or glucose tab.
Follow with a meal or snack of protein and carbohydrates.
Re-check blood sugar in 10-15 minutes.
How should staff respond to a bleeding nose?
Press both sides of the nostrils while the person sits and leans forward.
Place constant pressure on the nostrils until the bleeding stops.
If the bleeding stops, advise resident not to blow their nose.
If the bleeding does not stop in about 15 minutes, the bleeding becomes heavier or the tenant has trouble breathing, call 9-1-1.
List 3 things that should be done after assisting
a resident up who has fallen
Notify family
Notify nurse
Complete a fall report
Follow up as needed
How should staff provide first aid for tenants with eye injuries?
If the eye is hit hard or believed to be punctured, instruct the tenant to keep his or her eyes closed and call 9-1-1
If the tenant has an irritant in the eye (such as sand), use water to rinse the eye. If the pain continues, call 9-1-1
How should staff respond to a tenant who may be choking?
Ask the tenant if he or she is choking. If the tenant affirms he or she is choking or staff suspects that the tenant is choking:
1. Get behind the tenant and wrap arms around the tenant with hands in front of the tenant.
2. Make a fist with 1 hand.
3. Grasp the fist with other hand and give quick upward thrusts into the tenant’s abdomen.
4. Give thrusts until the object is forced out and the tenant can breathe, cough or talk or until the tenant becomes unresponsive.
5. Call 911.
What first aid should be provided for a resident with bleeding from the tongue, lip or cheek?
Press the bleeding area with sterile gauze or a clean cloth.
Call 9-1-1 if the bleeding cannot be stopped or the tenant has trouble breathing.
What should be done for a suspected broken bone or sprain?
Cover any open wound with a dressing and call 9-1-1
To identify warning signs of a stroke, it can be helpful
to use the acronym “FAST.”
What does the acronym “F.A.S.T.” stand for?
F—Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A—Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S—Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Ask their name and date of birth. Is the speech slurred or strange?
T—Time: If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.
Prior to providing any first aid to any resident, what should you ensure?
Ensure the scene is safe.
What first aid should be provided for a puncture wound?
Call 9-1-1
Stop any bleeding that can be seen by applying direct pressure.
Keep the injured person from moving until emergency responders arrive
How should staff provide first aid to tenants who incur head, neck or spinal injuries?
Direct the tenant to be still.
Call 9-1-1
Stay with the tenant and encourage him or her to remain still until emergency responders arrive.
What should be done if a resident’s tooth has come out?
Put the tooth in a cup of milk or clean water, and immediately have the injured person go to the emergency room (via family transport or “911”).
List 3 things you should do if you observe seizure activity?
Keep resident safe from harm-
Turn them on their side
Remove any objects they could hit
Use pillows or blankets to protect the body as needed
Do not restrain
Do not place anything in their mouth
Keep re-assuring
Call 9-1-1 especially if it lasts more then 5 minutes.
How should staff provide first aid for bleeding?
Put a dressing on the wound applying direct pressure to the wound using fingers or palm of a gloved hand.
Keep pressure on the wound until bleeding stops or wrap a bandage firmly over the wound to maintain pressure.
If possible, elevate the extremity above the heart.
If the wound does not stop bleeding with direct pressure, call 9-1-1