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Inpatient fall risk — SCE Acute Medicine MCQ

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EasyMedicine in the elderlyInpatient fall riskSCE Acute Medicine

A 76-year-old man with decompensated heart failure has an inpatient fall at 02:00 while walking to the toilet. He is taking IV furosemide, has postural hypotension and was not offered a call bell within reach. CT head is normal. What is the most appropriate patient safety intervention?

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Correct answer: A — Undertake multifactorial falls assessment and modify reversible ward risks

Inpatient falls prevention requires multifactorial assessment: postural hypotension, toileting needs, medicines, mobility aids, vision and environmental risks. Universal bedrails or sedation can increase harm and should not substitute for targeted risk reduction. A fall after modifiable risks should trigger review and learning, not simple documentation.

Reference: NICE CG161; NHS Patient Safety Incident Response Framework