What is the first step when responding to a patient's fall?

The first step when responding to a patient's fall is to call for help and notify the nurse immediately. This action ensures that professional assistance is on the way to handle the situation appropriately. The presence of trained healthcare staff is essential to carry out a proper assessment and provide necessary medical interventions. Calling for help also prevents the risk of further injury, either to the patient or to the person responding to the fall.

It's vital to inform the nurse because they have the clinical expertise to evaluate the circumstances surrounding the fall and to implement the appropriate protocol. Prompt notification also enables them to monitor potentially serious complications that could arise from the fall.

While assessing the patient for injuries is a critical step, it should occur after notifying professional healthcare personnel. Starting CPR is only necessary in specific situations where the patient is unresponsive and not breathing, which may not be the case following a fall. Helping the patient to stand up quickly can exacerbate any potential injuries and should be avoided without proper assessment and guidance. Rather, the focus should be on ensuring safety and obtaining help to manage the situation correctly.