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Falls risk medication review — SCE Acute Medicine MCQ

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EasyPerioperative Medicine, End-of-Life Care and Patient SafetyFalls risk medication reviewSCE Acute Medicine

A 87-year-old woman is assessed on the acute medical unit. She has recurrent falls and postural dizziness. Medicines include zopiclone, amitriptyline and doxazosin, and lying-standing BP shows a significant drop. Initial assessment includes relevant observations, bedside tests and urgent blood results. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

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Correct answer: D — Review sedatives, antihypertensives and anticholinergic burden

Review sedatives, antihypertensives and anticholinergic burden is the best answer because medication review is a core intervention for falls with postural symptoms and high-risk drugs. Refer for urgent endoscopy after resuscitation is plausible, but it is less appropriate for the physiology or timing described in this stem. The other distractors either fit a neighbouring presentation, delay definitive treatment, or miss the key immediate risk. Clinical pearl: Falls assessment should be multifactorial, not limited to mobility.

Reference: NICE CG161