Which action best supports safety by reducing the risk of falls for hospitalized patients?

• A. Initiate use of the bed alarm
• B. Place the client in a room near the elevator
• C. Instruct the client to call before getting up
• D. Provide a call button kept within reach

Answer: (A)

The main idea is using an automatic monitoring tool that alerts staff the moment a patient at risk tries to move or stand. A bed alarm detects when the patient leaves or shifts in bed and immediately signals the nursing team, enabling prompt assistance and preventing a fall before it happens. This proactive alerting is more reliable than waiting for a patient to call for help or hoping they’ll stay put, and it’s more effective than simply placing a patient near an elevator. A call button within reach helps, but it relies on the patient remembering to use it and staff being available to respond, whereas the bed alarm provides an automatic cue that triggers rapid intervention.