9 - Immobility and Falls

Question 1

describe 3 MSK causes of falls?

Answer 1

Arthritis of weight bearing joints

Sarocopenia

Deformities of feet

Question 2

describe 3 drug causes of falls?

Answer 2

Anti hypertensives

Sedatives

alcohol

Question 3

describe 5 neuro causes of falls?

Answer 3

stroke

Parkinsonism

dementia

delirium

ataxia

Question 4

describe 2 sensory causes of falls?

Answer 4

visual impairment

inattention (hearing)

Question 5

describe 4 cardio causes of falls?

Answer 5

Postural hypotension

Arrythmia

Heart failure

Aortic Stenosis

Question 6

describe a urinary cause for falls?

Answer 6

incontinence - running to the toilet

Question 7

describe 3 things drugs decrease and how this may increase the risk of falls?

Answer 7

BP

HR

awareness

Question 8

describe 5 things drugs increase and how this may increase the risk of falls?

Answer 8

Urine output
Sedation 
Hallucinations 
qTC
Dizziness

Question 9

6 common types of drugs which cause falls?

Answer 9

Antihypertensive 
Beta blocker 
Sedatives 
Anticholingerics 
Opioids
Alcohol

Question 10

3 members of the falls clinic MDT?

Answer 10

nurse

physiotherapist

doctor

Question 11

what does ataxic gait indicate?

Answer 11

cerebellar damage

Question 12

what does arthralgia gait indicate?

Answer 12

arthritis

Question 13

what does hemiplegic gait indicate?

Answer 13

stroke

Question 14

what does small steps/ shuffling indicate?

Answer 14

Parkinsonism (vascular)

Question 15

what does high stepping gait indicate?

Answer 15

peripheral neuropathy

Question 16

what needs to be assessed if someone falls in A+E?

Answer 16

ABCDE assessment

bloods and ECG - check if they are acutely unwell

Question 17

what 4 things should be paid close attention on the bloods for a patient who has fallen in A+E?

Answer 17

B12
folate
CK
TFTs

Question 18

3 steps to assessing a fallen patient?

Answer 18

ABCDE

check GLC

top to toe survey

Question 19

give 5 indications that a patient needs a CT scan if they have a head injury?

Answer 19

low GCS <13

focal neurology

signs of skull fracture

vomiting/ seizures

bruising around the eyes

Question 20

name 3 causes of a patient to have a fall in hospital?

Answer 20

delirium

postural hypotension due to illness

low blood GLC

Question 21

4 actions taken by nurses post-fall?

Answer 21

Repeat risk assessment

Datix

Call family

Try and prevent further fall - falls prevention care plan

Question 22

name 5 things which should be in reach of patients to prevent a fall?

Answer 22

call bell

bed rail

height of bed shouldn’t be too high

table

walking aid

Question 23

give 7 examples of causes for falls?

Answer 23

UTI

dementia

medication

arrythmia

aortic stenosis (on exertion)

seizure

TIA