Using a bed-exit alarm

Question

A resident at high risk for falls has a bed-exit alarm written into her care plan. Which action by the nursing assistant is most appropriate?

1. AConfirm the alarm is working and placed as the care plan states, and go to the room promptly whenever it sounds✓ Correct

   Correct. An alarm helps only if it works, is positioned as planned, and someone answers it quickly.

2. BSwitch the alarm off at night so its noise does not disturb the resident✗ Incorrect

   Turning the alarm off removes the safeguard the care plan calls for.

3. CRely on the alarm and check on her less often, since it will warn staff✗ Incorrect

   Alarms do not replace supervision and staff checks on the resident.

4. DPlace the alarm pad wherever is most convenient, since its position does not matter✗ Incorrect

   The care plan says where the alarm goes, and wrong placement makes it unreliable.

Answer

A. Confirm the alarm is working and placed as the care plan states, and go to the room promptly whenever it sounds

Rationale

A bed-exit alarm only tells staff that a movement has begun; it cannot stop a fall or stand in for checking on the resident. The aide is responsible for making sure it is working and set up as the care plan specifies, and for answering it quickly. Ignoring, silencing or trusting the alarm in place of watching the resident defeats its purpose.