Falls Prevention and Safety in the Elderly Flashcards

Which standardized tool is most widely used in clinical settings to assess fall risk in hospitalized older adults?

Answer: Morse Fall Scale

The Morse Fall Scale assesses six risk factors—fall history, secondary diagnosis, ambulatory aids, IV therapy, gait, and mental status—to quantify fall risk in hospitalized patients.

An older adult reports a fear of falling that has caused them to restrict their activities. The nurse recognizes this as:

Answer: Post-fall syndrome, which can lead to deconditioning and increased fall risk

Fear of falling leading to activity restriction creates a vicious cycle of deconditioning, muscle weakness, and balance deterioration that paradoxically increases fall risk.

Which type of exercise has the strongest evidence for reducing fall risk in community-dwelling older adults?

Answer: Balance and strength training exercises such as Tai Chi

Tai Chi and other balance and strength training programs have robust evidence for reducing fall frequency and improving postural stability in older adults.

A nurse is performing a home safety assessment for an older adult at risk for falls. Which finding requires the most urgent intervention?

Answer: Loose throw rugs throughout the hallways

Loose throw rugs are a major fall hazard because they can slip, bunch, or catch a shuffling foot; removing them is an immediate and high-priority intervention.

Orthostatic hypotension is a significant fall risk factor in older adults. It is defined as a drop of at least:

Answer: 20 mmHg systolic or 10 mmHg diastolic within 3 minutes of standing

Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a systolic BP decrease of ≥20 mmHg or diastolic decrease of ≥10 mmHg within three minutes of moving from lying or sitting to standing.

Which patient factor is the single strongest predictor of future falls in an older adult?

Answer: History of one or more previous falls

A history of previous falls is the strongest single predictor of future falls, making fall history a critical component of every older adult assessment.