Which of the following is a risk factor for falls quizlet? Answering the question with a complete overview of risks

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one in four older adults fall each year, but fewer than half report it to their doctor. This statistic underscores the importance of understanding the question, "Which of the following is a risk factor for falls quizlet?" by looking beyond flashcard answers to a comprehensive overview of intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

Quick Summary

Falls are caused by a combination of internal and external factors, with risks increasing significantly with age and mobility limitations. Contributing factors include muscle weakness, poor balance, vision impairment, certain medications, and environmental hazards like clutter and poor lighting. Comprehensive fall prevention involves addressing both personal health issues and modifying one's surroundings.

Key Points

• Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Risk Factors: Fall risks can be internal (related to health, like muscle weakness or chronic illness) or external (related to the environment, like clutter and poor lighting).

• History of Falls: One of the strongest predictors for future falls is a previous fall incident.

• Medication Impact: Taking multiple medications, especially psychoactive drugs, can cause dizziness and sedation, significantly increasing fall risk.

• Vision and Balance: Impaired vision, combined with difficulties in gait and balance, is a major contributor to fall incidents.

• Environmental Hazards: Hazards like loose rugs, lack of handrails, and poor lighting are highly preventable extrinsic factors that often lead to falls.

• Health Conditions: Chronic conditions such as arthritis, dementia, and diabetes can affect mobility and balance, increasing fall risk.

Intrinsic (Personal) Risk Factors

Intrinsic risk factors are those that are related to an individual's own body and health status. These are often rooted in age-related physiological changes or pre-existing medical conditions. Since these factors can be complex and intertwined, addressing them often requires a holistic approach to health and wellness.

• Age-related changes: As people get older, they experience natural declines in muscle strength, balance, and coordination. Reaction times slow, and issues with gait become more common.
• Chronic medical conditions: A number of diseases and conditions significantly increase fall risk. These include arthritis, diabetes, stroke, Parkinson's disease, dementia, and cardiovascular issues. These conditions can cause weakness, numbness, and balance problems.
• Vision impairment: Poor vision, especially problems with depth perception, contrast sensitivity, and night vision, is a major contributor to falls. Conditions like glaucoma and cataracts can also affect visual clarity.
• Gait and balance issues: Difficulties with walking, an unsteady gait, and poor balance are among the most cited risk factors. This can result from muscle weakness, nerve damage, or inner ear problems.
• Medication side effects: Polypharmacy, or taking multiple medications, especially psychoactive drugs, can cause side effects like dizziness, confusion, and impaired judgment. This is particularly true for sedatives, antidepressants, and certain blood pressure medications.
• Orthostatic hypotension: A sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up can cause dizziness and increase the risk of fainting and falling.
• Previous falls: Having fallen once dramatically increases the risk of falling again. A previous fall history is one of the strongest predictors for future falls.
• Fear of falling: The fear of falling itself can become a risk factor. It may cause individuals to limit their physical activity, which leads to muscle weakness and an even higher risk of falling.

Extrinsic (Environmental) Risk Factors

Extrinsic risk factors are hazards in an individual's external environment. For older adults, who may already have intrinsic risk factors, a hazardous environment can be the final trigger for a fall.

• Household clutter: Items left in walkways, on stairs, or on floors are common tripping hazards.
• Poor lighting: Inadequate lighting, especially in hallways, stairwells, and bathrooms, can make it difficult to see obstacles. Dim lighting and glare can also cause problems for those with vision impairment.
• Loose rugs and uneven surfaces: Throw rugs that are not secured can slip and cause a fall. Uneven or wet floors, loose carpeting, and cracked sidewalks are also major dangers.
• Lack of safety equipment: The absence of handrails on stairs, grab bars in bathrooms, and raised toilet seats can make navigating the home more difficult and dangerous.
• Slippery surfaces: Wet floors in kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways are a frequent cause of slips and falls.
• Inappropriate footwear: Wearing backless shoes, high heels, or walking in socks on smooth floors can increase the risk of slipping.

Comparison of Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Risk Factors

Feature	Intrinsic Risk Factors	Extrinsic Risk Factors
Nature	Internal, related to the individual's body and health.	External, related to the individual's physical surroundings.
Examples	Muscle weakness, poor balance, vision impairment, chronic illness, medication side effects.	Clutter, poor lighting, loose rugs, slippery floors, lack of handrails.
Modifiability	Can be managed or improved with exercise, medication review, and physical therapy.	Often easily modifiable through home adjustments and safety measures.
Onset	Develop over time, often gradually with age or chronic disease progression.	Can be present constantly or be introduced by a new hazard.
Assessment	Requires a medical evaluation and discussion with a healthcare provider.	Involves a home safety check and environmental scan.

The “Quizlet” Connection: A Broader Perspective

While a Quizlet-style flashcard format might simplify the topic by listing a single risk factor, the reality is that falls are almost always caused by a combination of factors. The answer to "Which of the following is a risk factor for falls quizlet?" can therefore be multifaceted. A question may present a specific option, such as "lower body weakness," which is certainly a valid intrinsic risk factor identified by Quizlet flashcards and the CDC. However, real-world fall prevention requires recognizing the complex interplay between personal health and environmental safety. For example, an older individual with weak leg muscles (intrinsic factor) walking down dimly lit stairs (extrinsic factor) is at a much higher risk than if only one of those factors were present. Prevention strategies must address both aspects to be truly effective.

Conclusion

Understanding what constitutes a risk factor for falls goes beyond simply memorizing terms from a study guide. Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors contribute to an individual's risk, and often work in tandem to increase the likelihood of an accident. The most effective prevention strategies involve a comprehensive approach that addresses personal health issues like muscle weakness and balance problems, and modifies the living environment to remove potential hazards. By being proactive about both health and home safety, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of falling and improve their overall quality of life.

• Intrinsic Risk Factors: Include a history of falls, balance and gait difficulties, muscle weakness, visual impairment, certain medications (especially psychoactive drugs or polypharmacy), chronic diseases like arthritis, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease, orthostatic hypotension, and cognitive impairment.
• Extrinsic Risk Factors: Consist of environmental hazards such as poor lighting, wet or uneven floors, clutter, loose rugs, and the lack of proper assistive devices like grab bars and handrails.
• Interventions: Solutions involve regular exercise to build strength and balance, annual medication reviews with a healthcare provider, regular eye exams, and simple home modifications to improve safety.

By taking these steps, individuals and caregivers can create a safer environment and minimize the risk of falls, promoting greater independence and well-being for older adults.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary risk factor for falls in older adults?

The primary risk factors for falls in older adults are often a combination of factors. However, intrinsic factors like lower body weakness, difficulties with gait and balance, and having a history of previous falls are among the most prominent.

How can medications contribute to the risk of falling?

Certain medications, such as sedatives, antidepressants, and blood pressure drugs, can cause side effects like dizziness, lightheadedness (orthostatic hypotension), and impaired balance. Taking four or more medications (polypharmacy) significantly increases this risk due to potential drug interactions.

What kind of home hazards increase the risk of falls?

Common home hazards include cluttered walkways, loose electrical cords, loose throw rugs, inadequate lighting, and slippery surfaces in bathrooms and kitchens. The absence of handrails on stairs and grab bars in the bathroom also increases risk.

Can poor vision affect a person's fall risk?

Yes, poor vision is a significant risk factor. Decreased visual acuity, poor depth perception, increased sensitivity to glare, and reduced contrast sensitivity can make it difficult to navigate uneven surfaces and spot potential tripping hazards.

Why is fear of falling a risk factor?

A fear of falling can cause a person to become less physically active. This inactivity leads to muscle weakness, a loss of balance, and a reduction in mobility, all of which paradoxically increase the risk of a fall.

What is orthostatic hypotension and how is it related to falls?

Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in blood pressure that occurs when a person stands up quickly from a sitting or lying position. It can cause dizziness and lightheadedness, leading to a fall.

How can exercise help prevent falls?

Regular exercise, particularly programs focused on balance and strength training like Tai Chi, can improve muscle strength, balance, and coordination. This helps older adults become more steady on their feet and better able to react to a stumble.