What intervention should a nurse include for a disoriented client at risk for falls?

Ensuring that the client is wearing nonskid slippers is vital for promoting safety and reducing the risk of falls in disoriented clients. Nonskid slippers provide better traction on potentially slippery surfaces, which can help prevent slips and falls when a client attempts to mobilize independently. This measure is especially important for disoriented clients who may have impaired judgment or coordination and may not be able to evaluate their own safety effectively.

While moving the bedside table away from the bedside could create more space, it may also limit the client's access to items they need, increasing their risk of trying to stand without adequate support. Keeping the bed’s full side rails in the up position can create a false sense of security and might also lead to risks of entrapment or falling if the client attempts to climb over them. Reinforcing teaching on the use of the call bell is helpful, but it relies on the client's ability to remember and effectively use it when needed, which may not always be the case for disoriented individuals. Therefore, ensuring nonskid slippers are worn is a more immediate and practical intervention to safeguard against falls.