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Falls clinic referral — DGM MCQ

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EasyFallsFalls clinic referralDGM

An 85-year-old man has had four unexplained falls over six months. He has mild cognitive impairment and a slow shuffling gait. ECG shows sinus rhythm; lying and standing blood pressure is normal. Current medicines include metformin and amlodipine. What is the most appropriate referral?

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Correct answer: C — Falls service or geriatrician for multifactorial assessment

Multiple unexplained falls with gait impairment warrant referral to a falls service or geriatrician for multifactorial assessment. Dermatology and vascular surgery do not fit the syndrome; ophthalmology alone is too narrow, and independence does not remove the need for assessment. Recurrent falls should be treated as a geriatric syndrome with several interacting causes.

Reference: NICE NG249