The nurse is taking Mr. Hunter for a walk and is using a transfer walking belt for safety and support. Mr. Hunter became weak and begins to fall. What is the safest action for the nurse to take?

• A. Keep him close to the nurse's body and lower him to the floor using the transfer walking belt
• B. Let him fall and call for help
• C. Remove the belt immediately and assist him to stand
• D. Push him to the side and continue walking

Answer: (A)

The action tested here is how to maintain safety during a fall by using a gait belt to control the descent. When a patient becomes weak and starts to fall, staying close and guiding them down in a controlled way with the transfer belt gives the nurse a secure grip and keeps both of you safer. This approach helps absorb the fall more gradually, protects the head and neck, and prevents the patient from crashing to the floor or pulling the nurse off balance. After lowering the patient to the floor, call for help and assess for any injuries.

Letting the patient fall would remove control and heighten the risk of injury. Removing the belt eliminates the support you rely on to guide the fall, making a hard drop more likely. Pushing the patient to the side and continuing to walk ignores the hazard and can lead to a dangerous collision or further injury.