After a fall, who should you notify?

• A. Notify the nurse and document the incident.
• B. Notify only the resident's family.
• C. Notify the security guard only.
• D. Ignore until the next shift.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that after a resident falls, prompt reporting to the nurse and thorough documentation are essential for immediate assessment and ongoing care. The nurse is the licensed caregiver who can check for injuries, monitor vital signs, review medications, and determine if further medical evaluation is needed. Documenting the incident with details like time, location, what the resident was doing, any observed injuries or pain, who assisted, and what actions were taken creates an accurate record for the care team and supports safety planning to prevent future falls.

Notifying only the resident’s family misses the critical step of medical assessment and care coordination, and choosing to inform a security guard or waiting until the next shift delays important care and follow-up.