Falls Flashcards
1
Q
What history of the fall do you need to take?
A
When?
- time of day
- what were they doing at the time
Where?
Before
- presyncopal features
- dizziness
- palpitations/chest pain
During
- loss of consciousness
- tongue biting / incontinence
- injuries
- what part hit the floor first
After
- able to get themselves up?
- how long were they on the floor?
- confusion
- weakness
How many previous falls
2
Q
What questions would you include in a systems enquiry for a falls history?
A
General
- weight loss
- fatigue
CVS
- chest pain
- palpitations
Resp
- SoB
- cough
Neuro
- LoC
- seizures
- motor/sensory disturbance
- peripheral neuropathy
Urinary
- incontinence
- urgency
- frequency
GI
- abdo pain
- diarrhoea
- constipation
MSK
- joint pain
- weakness
Vision/hearing loss
3
Q
What medications can increase the risk of falls?
A
B-blockers Anti-hypertensives Opioids Benzos Diabetic medications
4
Q
Which examinations should be done when someone presents with a fall?
A
GCS Confusion screen Timed Up & Go test CVS Resp Neuro GI MSK
5
Q
What investigations should be done to investigate a fall?
A
L/S BP
Urine dip/culture
ECG
BM
Bloods
- FBC
- U&Es
- CRP
- bone profile
- CK
CT head
