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NUR 257 Chronic Exam 4 Study Guide for
NUR 257: Fall Risks & Pain Management |
2025-2026 | Galen College of Nursing
NUR 257 Enrichment Exam 4
Fall Risks
- Call light and urinal nearby is PRIORITY o Instruct to use when assistance is
needed
o Ex: trying to get to wheelchair to get to restroom (further education
needed)
- Items within reach if vision is impaired or if fall risk o Make sure they are
able to reach items
- Should use their OWN equipment o Smart cane! – provides feedback and
detects falls
- Hip/leg surgery, shuffling, or tremors, and decreased mobility should have
fall precautions in place !!! Pain
- Neuropathic treated with gabapentin (esp. if chronic) o Not motrin or
ibuprofen
- Assess pain with numeric scale (1-10) if pt. is alert and oriented o Red, hot
area is secondary
- OA pain suggest alternate therapy like alternating hot and cold packs
- Dementia and expressive aphagia are more likely not able to express pain or
have adequate pain control
- Post-op pain with advanced age pt. , do NOT hold meds. START LOW AND
GO SLOW (titrate meds) Bone and Joint
- Newly diagnosed with OA or osteoporosis educate about fall hazards
(remove rugs, good lighting, etc.)
- Aware of the risk factors for osteoporosis (smoking, steroids, low vitamin D)
- Pt. with RA sx suxh as low-grade fever – DRAW LABS
- Effects of OA can be slowed down with low impact exercises (swimming)
- Symptoms of gout o Early acute onset – colchine o Chronic – allopurinol o
Alcohol makes it WORSE
NUR 257 Chronic Exam 4 Study Guide for
NUR 257: Fall Risks & Pain Management |
2025-2026 | Galen College of Nursing
NUR 257 Enrichment Exam 4
Fall Risks
- Call light and urinal nearby is PRIORITY o Instruct to use when assistance is
needed
o Ex: trying to get to wheelchair to get to restroom (further education
needed)
- Items within reach if vision is impaired or if fall risk o Make sure they are
able to reach items
- Should use their OWN equipment o Smart cane! – provides feedback and
detects falls
- Hip/leg surgery, shuffling, or tremors, and decreased mobility should have
fall precautions in place !!! Pain
- Neuropathic treated with gabapentin (esp. if chronic) o Not motrin or
ibuprofen
- Assess pain with numeric scale (1-10) if pt. is alert and oriented o Red, hot
area is secondary
- OA pain suggest alternate therapy like alternating hot and cold packs
- Dementia and expressive aphagia are more likely not able to express pain or
have adequate pain control
- Post-op pain with advanced age pt. , do NOT hold meds. START LOW AND
GO SLOW (titrate meds) Bone and Joint
- Newly diagnosed with OA or osteoporosis educate about fall hazards
(remove rugs, good lighting, etc.)
- Aware of the risk factors for osteoporosis (smoking, steroids, low vitamin D)
- Pt. with RA sx suxh as low-grade fever – DRAW LABS
- Effects of OA can be slowed down with low impact exercises (swimming)
- Symptoms of gout o Early acute onset – colchine o Chronic – allopurinol o
Alcohol makes it WORSE
