Falls-Geriatrics

definition of a fall

inadvertently coming to rest on the ground, floor, or other lower level, with or without injury

true or false: falls are normal part of aging

false

is falling a symptom or a diagnosis?

symptom

________ of community-dwelling older adults aged 65 and over experience falls

1/3

are falls more common in men or women?

women

true or false: falls are a major cause of hospitalization, death, injury, immobility, psychosocial problems, transition to LTC

true

consequences of falls:

bruises, sprains, fractures, brain injury

hip fractures >____________ of hospitalizations

1/3

intrinsic factors with falls

medical and neuropsychiatric conditions, vision and hearing loss, age-related changes in NM function, gait, and postural reflexes

extrinsic factors with falls

medications, improper prescription and/or AD, environmental hazards

medications: taking ____ or more is an increased fall risk

4

polypharmacy is taking ____ drugs or more

5

analgesics (especially narcotics) side effect

decreased alertness, central processing

psychotropics (benzos) side effects

negatively affects dynamic balance, attention, and dual-task

antihypertensives side effects

decreased cerebral perfusion

aminoglycosides (loop diuretics) side effects

vestibular toxicity

phenothiazines side effects

extra-pyramidal signs and symptoms

behavior and cognitive risk factors for falls

attention deficits, executive dysfunction, visual field loss, poorly executive dual tasks

true or false: active adults have fewer falls

true

what nutrients are important to decrease fall risk?

water, calcium, vit d

what is the most significant risk factor for falls?

muscle weakness

what things should you discuss with your patient for fall prevention

exercise, footwear, fall recovery, regular physical exam, med side effects, limit alcohol, test vision, sunglasses, avoid high-risk situations

avoid ______________ or ____________ carpet

thick, patterned

grab bars should be ________-______ in high, and ______-____ in from wall

16-26, 2-3

night light

use __________-way light bulbs

3

avoid what types of tables?

drop-lead or pedestal style table

true or false: glass tables look awesome and are great for reduce falls

false avoid

chairs: feet on floor, feet at 90 degrees, seat depth _____-_____ inches

15-18

armrests in chair should be _____ in above seat

7

what is the leading cause of morbity and mortality among older adults

TRAUMA

what is a predictor of long-term complications secondary to trauma

comorbities

what is most common type of intracranial bleed

subdural hematoma

why when someone has a TBI are the onset of symptoms delayed?

due to brain atrophy

true or false: with age there is an increased adherence of the dura to the skull

true

with TBI seizures happen in how many?

1:5

does dx of concussion require LOC?

no

what imaging is used to show structural change with concussion

routine imaging won't show anything

symptoms of concussion

alteration of mental status, focal neurological signs, retrograde amnesia

autonomic dysfunction

hard to notice due to medications that alter BP

should you do task-specific training?

yes

true or false: neuroplasticity is key to functional recovery

yes

accoridng to CPG what balance test should you do?

Berg, SLS

according to CPG what mobility test should you do?

5TSTTS, TUG, walking speed