What should you do if a patient starts to fall while being assisted?

When a patient begins to fall while being assisted, the most appropriate response is to support their body and lower them gently to the ground. This action is crucial for several reasons.

First, by controlling the descent, you can help minimize the risk of serious injuries, such as fractures or head trauma, which can occur from a sudden impact. Lowering the patient allows for a more gradual fall, which can help absorb some of the force and prevent them from hitting the ground too hard.

Additionally, when supporting their body during the fall, you can ensure that their head and back are protected, further reducing the risk of injury. It is important to maintain a supportive hold throughout the process, which can also provide reassurance to the patient during such a distressing event.

The other actions outlined in the options do not prioritize the patient's safety effectively. Allowing a patient to fall without assistance can lead to harmful consequences. Pushing them back into a standing position may result in an even more unstable situation, leading to further falls. Finally, calling for help and waiting could delay necessary action when immediate support can be crucial in preventing injury. Thus, supporting a patient and lowering them safely is the best practice in this scenario.