falls Flashcards
how are falls classed?
into syncopal and non syncopal
what questions should be asked in a history for a fall?
What were they doing?
How did the fall happen?
How did they feel before the fall?
Was there and dizziness or a lightheaded feeling?
Did they lose consciousness?
Did they have any cardiac symptoms?
Are they weak anywhere?
Has this happened before?
Have they had any near misses before?
What medication do they take? Think sedatives, cardiac medications, anticholinergics, hypoglycaemics, opiates that can contribute to falls.
How do they normally mobilise?
what should be focused on in an examination?
A functional assessment of their mobility – how do they mobilise, what with and what is their gait like
Cardiovascular examination – include an ECG and a lying and standing BP (at immediate, 3 and 5 minutes)
Neurological examination
Musculoskeletal examination – assess their joints
how are falls approached in terms of treatment?
a suspicion this may have a specific cause some further investigations may be of value.
asses for osteoporosis risk and then manage
patients who fracture large bones with minimal trauma are usually commenced automatically on osteoporosis treatment if they are over the age of 75
