A nurse is assisting with the care of a group of clients during a mass casualty event. Which of the following tasks should the nurse assign to an assistive personnel (AP)?

Choice A reason: A bedside table 2 feet away hinders reach, increasing fall risk. It should be closer for safe access to essentials in bed.

Choice B reason: Dim lighting obscures hazards, raising fall risk. Bright, even illumination is needed to enhance visibility for a client prone to falling.

Choice C reason: Area rugs on slick floors create tripping hazards, worsening fall risk. Secure or remove them to stabilize footing for safety.

Choice D reason: Moving the bed downstairs eliminates stair falls, a major risk. It’s a key environmental adaptation for safe mobility in at-risk clients.

Choice A reason: Family history informs genetic risks, not current mobility needs for therapy. Scientifically, it’s less relevant than functional data, as physical therapy focuses on present deficits, not hereditary patterns, making this secondary for referral purposes.

Choice B reason: Prior medications provide context but don’t detail current physical status for therapy goals. Scientifically, recent assessments outweigh past drug use, as therapists need functional baselines, not historical pharmacology, for effective planning.

Choice C reason: Physical assessment findings (e.g., strength, range of motion) directly inform therapy needs, setting baselines for intervention. Scientifically, this data drives rehabilitation plans, aligning with evidence-based practice to target specific deficits for mobility recovery.

Choice D reason: Insurance claims are administrative, not clinical, data. They don’t guide therapy goals or interventions. Scientifically, financial details are irrelevant to physical assessment, making this inappropriate for a referral focused on functional restoration.