A nurse is reinforcing teaching about home safety for a client who has a history of falls.
Which of the following statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the client understands the instructions?

 

Choice A rationale:

Tying the straps of the restraints in a double knot is incorrect. This action can make it difficult to quickly release the restraints in case of an emergency. A single, quick-release knot is recommended to ensure the client's safety.

Choice B rationale:

Tying the restraints to the side rails is incorrect. Attaching restraints to the side rails can cause injury to the client and is not a proper restraint application method. Restraints should be tied to the bed frame, not the side rails, to prevent harm.

Choice C rationale:

Placing the padding of the restraints against the client's bony prominences is incorrect. While padding is important to prevent skin breakdown and pressure ulcers, the correct placement of the padding alone does not indicate a comprehensive understanding of proper restraint application.

Choice D rationale:

Inserting one finger between the client's wrist and the restraint is the correct action. This technique ensures that the restraints are not too tight, allowing for proper circulation and preventing injury to the client. The ability to insert one finger indicates that the restraints are snug but not constrictive, maintaining the client's safety and comfort.

The correct answer is choice C: Move any clients to safety.

Choice C rationale: The nurse's priority is always client safety. In the event of an electrical issue that poses a potential risk, such as smoke or fire, the nurse should first ensure that any clients in the area are moved to a safe location. This aligns with the widely-used RACE acronym for fire response (Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish), which highlights the importance of removing individuals from danger before attending to other aspects of fire safety.

Choice A rationale: Using a fire extinguisher is an appropriate action to take when dealing with a small, manageable fire. However, in this scenario, ensuring client safety takes precedence over attempting to extinguish the source of the smoke. This is also in line with the RACE mnemonic, which emphasizes the importance of prioritizing evacuation.

Choice B rationale: Activating the fire alarm is an important step to alert others in the building about a potential fire and the need for evacuation. However, the priority remains client safety, so moving clients to a safe location should be the nurse's initial response, following the RACE acronym.

In summary, the nurse's priority action when encountering an electrical hazard is to move clients to safety. After ensuring client safety, the nurse can then activate the fire alarm and, if trained to do so, use a fire extinguisher on the outlet if necessary. This approach aligns with the RACE mnemonic, which serves as a guideline for fire response.