Falls History Flashcards
why is there 2 decks on falls?
first one had shit falls history and it could be in osce so important :)
What can the questions about the actual falls in a falls history be divided into?
- When
- Where
- What
- Why
- Who
- How
What needs to be asked about when in a falls history?
- What time of the day did they fall
- What were they doing at the time
Give 2 examples of when knowing what the patient was doing at the time may be helpful in falls history?
- Looking upwards may suggest vertebrobasilar insufficiency
- Getting up from bed may suggest postural hypotension
What needs to be asked about where in falls history?
In house, or outside?
What are the categories of questions when asking about what happened in a fall?
- Before
- During
- After
What needs to be asked about what happened before a fall?
- Was there any warning?
- Was there any dizziness/chest pain or palpitations
What needs to be asked about what happened during a fall?
- Any incontinence or tongue biting
- Loss of consiousness
- Pale/flushed
- Injuries
- Which part of body had first contact with floor
Why is it important to know if there was any incontinence or tongue biting during a fall?
Indicates seizure activity
What needs to be asked about what happened after a fall?
- Could they get themselves up, and how long did it take them
- Could they resume normal activities afterwards
- Was there any confusion after event
- Was there any weakness or speech difficulty
What might confusion after a fall indicate?
Head injury
What might weakness or speech difficulty after a fall suggest?
Stroke/TIA
Give 2 examples of why a patient might think they had fallen?
- Tripped over rug
- Started new medication
What ‘who’ question should be asked in a falls history?
Who has seen you fall
Why is it important to ask who has seen the patient fall?
Can provide collateral history