What symptom indicates that the resident may have sustained a serious injury after the fall?

The indication of a serious injury after a fall is often associated with significant pain, especially when the pain level is rated as high as 8 out of 10. Such a high pain rating typically suggests that there may be serious damage to bones, joints, or soft tissues. This level of discomfort can indicate fractures or severe sprains, which require immediate assessment and intervention.

In contrast, while being alert but disoriented, incontinent of urine, or having observable changes in leg positioning can provide clues about a resident's condition following a fall, they are not as definitive indicators of serious injury as a high level of pain. Disorientation may suggest head trauma or confusion but does not directly correlate with injury severity in the way that high pain levels do. Incontinence can occur for various reasons and may not necessarily be linked to an injury. The shortened and outwardly rotated leg may indicate a hip fracture or dislocation, but pain severity is a more universal and immediate indicator of serious injury requiring prompt attention. Thus, the symptom of high pain intensity stands out as the most critical sign of a potentially serious injury.