🟠 Scenario:

“Confused and Unsteady: Mr. Hall Tries to Walk Without Assistance”

The Situation:

You enter Mr. Hall’s room during your morning rounds. He’s an 82-year-old resident with a history of confusion and fall risk.
You find him standing near the bed, without his walker, looking disoriented and slightly off balance. He’s trying to walk toward the bathroom alone.

 What You Do – Step-by-Step CNA Response

1. Approach Calmly and Gently

   • Never rush or shout. Instead, use a soft tone and a reassuring presence:

     “Hi Mr. Hall, I’m here to help. Let’s sit down for a moment, okay?”

2. Physically Support Him Immediately

   • Stand beside or slightly behind him to prevent a fall.

   • Use a gait belt if already in place or support under his arm/upper back while gently guiding him to a chair or the bed.

3. Do NOT Correct or Argue With His Confusion

   • If Mr. Hall seems to think he’s somewhere else or doesn’t recognize you, don’t try to debate.
     Instead, calmly redirect:

     “That’s alright, let’s sit first and talk about it.”

4. Reassure and Observe

   • Speak slowly and clearly:

     “You’re safe now. I’m here with you.”

   • Watch for signs of pain, weakness, or unsteadiness as he sits.

5. Notify the Nurse Right Away

   • Report exactly what you saw and did:

     “I found Mr. Hall standing unassisted near his bed, confused and trying to walk. I helped him sit, and he appears uninjured but disoriented.”

6. Document the Incident Objectively

   • Write down what you observed, what Mr. Hall said/did, and what actions you took.
     Example:

     “At 9:15 AM, observed resident standing unassisted at bedside, appearing confused and attempting to ambulate without walker. Assisted to chair without incident. No visible injury. Nurse notified at 9:20 AM.”

Why This Matters (CNA Exam & Real-Life Relevance)

This scenario reinforces several key CNA skills:

• Fall Prevention: Recognizing and preventing a high-risk fall situation.

• Patient Safety: Prioritizing stabilization before movement.

• Emotional Reassurance: Keeping a confused patient calm to avoid agitation or injury.

• Communication With the Healthcare Team: Knowing when and how to report concerns.

• Documentation: Legal, objective, and essential in post-incident review.

✅ CNA Exam Tip:

If asked a question like:

“You find a confused resident standing unassisted by their bed. What is your first action?”
Choose the answer that says:

• ✔️ Stay with the resident and assist them to sit down safely
  Not:

• ❌ “Go get the nurse and leave them”

• ❌ “Remind them they’re not supposed to walk without help”

📝 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Stay calm, be kind, and never leave a confused or unsteady resident alone.

• Redirect gently instead of correcting.

• Support physically, observe closely, report thoroughly.

• Always document what you see, not what you assume.