Falls case 1

She is not able to recall when or how she fell, her address or how she usually gets around the house.

How might you get further information about the patient and their recent fall?

You manage to contact the neighbour who you establish has regular contact with the patient and is prepared to provide a collateral history.

What would you like to know about the patient’s background?

A 70 year old woman is brought to the emergency department by ambulance after having been found on the floor of her living room by her niece (next of kin).

Her observations are as follows;

SpO2 = 96%, RR = 14 breaths/min, HR = 80bpm, BP = 150/90, Temp = 36.8^oC

You discover from the collateral history that she has a past medical history of diabetes and recurrent DVTs (for which she takes warfarin).

State which bedside assessments you would consider performing:

State three indications for a CT scan of the head following a head injury:

A 70 year old woman is brought to the emergency department by ambulance after having been found on the floor of her living room by her niece (next of kin).

Her observations are as follows;

SpO2 = 96%, RR = 14 breaths/min, HR = 80bpm, BP = 150/90, Temp = 36.8^oC

PMH: of diabetes and recurrent DVTs

DH: warfarin, actrapid, lantus

Her GCS has been 13 (E4V4M5) during her time in the emergency department and her AMT is 3/10.

State three differentials to account for the patient’s condition: