Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

If a resident begins to fall, what should the nursing assistant do?

1. Catch the resident under the arms to stop the fall

2. Widen her stance and bring the resident's body close to her

3. Lock her knees

4. Move out of the way

The correct answer is: Widen her stance and bring the resident's body close to her

When a resident begins to fall, the appropriate response is to widen your stance and bring the resident's body close to you. This method promotes safety by ensuring that you are stable and in a strong position to help the resident. By widening your stance, you lower your center of gravity, which enhances your balance. Bringing the resident close allows you to control their descent and reduce the impact of the fall, effectively minimizing the risk of injury for both the resident and yourself. This approach reflects the principles of safe body mechanics and fall prevention techniques that nursing assistants are trained in. Prioritizing the safety of both the resident and oneself is essential, as rushing in to catch or lock knees may lead to further instability and can increase the risk of injury.