If the right brake on a client's wheelchair is not functioning well, what is your priority action?

Prioritizing client safety is the most crucial aspect of healthcare. If a wheelchair's right brake is not functioning properly, it poses a significant risk of the wheelchair moving unexpectedly, which could lead to falls or injuries for the client. Therefore, immediately removing the wheelchair from use safeguards the client and prevents any potential accidents.

While it may be important to involve the client in conversations about their equipment or to notify them of issues, addressing the safety risk by taking the wheelchair out of service is paramount. Attempting to fix the brake without appropriate expertise may not only be ineffective but could also result in further complications or safety hazards, while asking the client about the issue can be valuable but doesn't directly address the immediate risk at hand.

By prioritizing the removal of the malfunctioning wheelchair, you ensure that the client remains safe until the issue can be properly assessed and resolved by a qualified technician or service provider.