Due to trouble managing on her own, a frail 93-year-old woman with moderate dementia enters a nursing facility. She has lately experienced multiple falls, including one while getting out of bed to use the restroom in the middle of the night. The patient blames his fall on "clumsiness." The syncope workup reveals no abnormalities. She has a history of high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, depression, and anxiety. Amlodipine, sertraline, aripiprazole, and amitriptyline are among her prescriptions. Which of the following is the most effective method for lowering this patient's risk of falling?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: This patient has a number of fall risk factors, including advanced age, arthritis, a history of falls, cognitive impairment, and the use of various medicines that have been linked to an increased risk of falling (ie, psychotropic and cardiovascular drugs). One of the most controllable risk factors for falls is medication usage.
Antipsychotics such as aripiprazole, antidepressants such as sertraline and amitriptyline, and benzodiazepines are the most usually connected with an increased risk of falling. Cardiovascular medicines that lower circulating blood volume or blood pressure, such as calcium channel blockers (for example, amlodipine), beta blockers, and diuretics, have also been linked to falls. A medication evaluation should be performed on the patient with the purpose of determining the lowest effective dose, removing superfluous drugs, and/or switching to those linked with a decreased risk of falling.

Due to Trouble Managing on Her Own, a Frail 93-Year-Old