Question

Ms. Florence Nightingale, African-American 80 year-old female who is alert and oriented x 4. She presents here to Utopia Hospital via AMR due to an un-witnessed fall at home. She currently lives alone fully independent with her 3 cats. She has two sons (both live out of state) and one daughter who lives two doors down from her mother’s home. She is an active woman who attends church every Sunday, watches her 3 grandchil

Answer 1

Falls in elderly population is common due to various reason from decreased motor functions to mental functions.

The following thing is necessary to assess in this patient is fracture due to fall as the bones are very fragile at this age

Assessing for signs of other illness for ruling out the actual cause of fall

The intervention required is pain management due to fall

Investigation like X-Ray to rule out fracture

The precautionary measures to prevent future  fall are

• Encouraging to get the support of her daughter
• Maintaining a skid proof floor
• Having walking aids appropriate for the age and needs
• Alarms in bed rooms to alert the close ones
• Medication as per order for illness if any in the past
• Assess for vision and provide appropriate care
• Encourage for good ventilation, lighting grab bars in bathrooms
• To have a clutter free rooms
• Wearing shoes prevent falls