CNA Certification (Written Exam)Infection Control and SafetyHard
A nurse aide is caring for a resident with a physician-ordered bed rail. The aide notices a gap between the mattress and the rail large enough for the resident's head to slip through. What is the most appropriate action?
- ATie a pillow to the rail to close the gap
- BReport the gap immediately as an entrapment hazard and request correction
- CIgnore the gap since the rail was ordered by the physician
- DRemove the mattress entirely to eliminate the gap
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Report the gap immediately as an entrapment hazard and request correction
A gap between the mattress and bed rail poses a serious entrapment risk in which a resident's head, neck, or body could become trapped, causing injury or death. The nurse aide must report this hazard immediately so maintenance or nursing staff can correct it using approved equipment, rather than attempting an informal fix.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Tying a pillow is not an approved safety fix and does not eliminate the hazard reliably.
- C. A physician's order does not override an unsafe equipment condition that must be corrected.
- D. Removing the mattress does not solve the rail gap issue and creates new risks.
Bed Rail Entrapment Hazard
A dangerous gap or space around a bed rail where a resident's body part, especially the head or neck, can become trapped, leading to serious injury or death.
- Entrapment zones include gaps between rail, mattress, and headboard
- Must be reported immediately, not fixed informally
- FDA and CMS provide entrapment risk guidelines for bed rails
Memory trick: A gap in the rail is a trap, not a small flaw to patch.