To reduce the risk of falls in a patient taking a CNS depressant, which action should the nurse recommend?

• A. Request help with ambulation
• B. Sit upright for two hours after taking the medication
• C. Take the medication with caffeine
• D. Stand or walk immediately after taking the medication

Answer: (C)

CNS depressants slow brain activity, producing drowsiness, slower reaction times, and dizziness that raise the risk of falls. The nurse’s aim is to offset that sedation enough to help the patient stay awake and responsive during activities. Taking the medication with caffeine provides a stimulant effect that can counteract some of the sleepy feeling, helping the patient maintain alertness and balance during movement, which lowers the chance of falls compared with taking the drug alone.

Keep in mind caffeine isn’t a universal solution—it can cause jitters, increased heart rate, or blood pressure changes, so use should be evaluated with the clinician and monitored. It also doesn’t replace other safety steps like arranging for help with ambulation and keeping the environment fall-proof.