skip to main content

Benzodiazepine falls risk — DGM MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardPolypharmacyBenzodiazepine falls riskDGM

An 81-year-old woman with recurrent falls and chronic insomnia asks for repeat tablets. She takes diazepam 5 mg nightly, sertraline, alendronate, calcium with vitamin D and levothyroxine. Her daughter reports daytime drowsiness and one minor road traffic incident. Which medication should be reviewed?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — Diazepam

Long-acting benzodiazepines increase falls, sedation and driving risk in older people, so diazepam should be reviewed and tapered where appropriate. Sertraline can contribute to hyponatraemia or bleeding risk, but the drowsiness and falls pattern points most strongly to diazepam. Deprescribing benzodiazepines requires gradual reduction and non-drug sleep strategies.

Reference: STOPP/START criteria v3; BNF Prescribing in elderly