HESI Registered Nurse EXIT Practice Exam

Which nursing diagnosis would place an elderly client at the greatest risk for falls?

1. Sensory perceptual alterations related to decreased vision

2. Alteration in mobility related to fatigue

3. Impaired gas exchange related to retained secretions

4. Altered patterns of urinary elimination related to nocturia

The correct answer is: Altered patterns of urinary elimination related to nocturia

The nursing diagnosis that places an elderly client at the greatest risk for falls is altered patterns of urinary elimination related to nocturia. Nocturia, or the need to wake during the night to urinate, can significantly increase the risk of falls among elderly individuals. As they get out of bed in the dark, they may lack the necessary sensory perception to navigate their environment safely, particularly if their vision is impaired or if they have decreased strength and balance. This condition can lead to hurried movements to reach the bathroom, which may cause missteps or loss of balance, resulting in falls. Incorporating environmental safety measures, such as ensuring proper lighting and removing obstacles, can help mitigate this risk. While other conditions listed pose risks as well, the immediate and urgent nature of nocturia, especially when combined with the typical changes in mobility and sensory perception that occur with aging, makes it particularly concerning for fall risk in elderly clients.