How should a nurse assess a patient’s risk for falls due to vision impairment?

Conducting an environmental safety assessment is key in evaluating a patient's risk for falls due to vision impairment. This approach involves examining the patient's living environment for potential hazards that may increase the likelihood of falls, such as clutter, poor lighting, lack of railings, and slippery surfaces. By identifying and addressing these environmental risks, the nurse can take steps to modify the environment to improve safety for the patient.

While assessing visual acuity and understanding the ability to read small print provides valuable information about the patient's vision, this alone does not account for how their vision impairment interacts with their environment. Similarly, reviewing medication lists and their potential side effects is important in a broader fall risk assessment, but it does not directly address the environmental factors that can contribute to falls. Therefore, focusing on the environment ensures a comprehensive approach to preventing falls related to vision impairment.