Falls: RCSI aptitude test practice questions
About this topic
Falls on the RCSI theory paper
Falls risk assessment, prevention bundles, post-fall care, environment and footwear, medication risks.
22 multiple-choice questions, each with an explanation and the document it was checked against. Three questions are free; the pass opens the other 19 and every other topic. Wrong answers come back first the next time you practise, and a question counts as mastered after two correct answers in a row.
Sample questions from this topic
Question 1
A resident on warfarin falls and bangs their head. What does the HSE falls workbook advise about the medication?
- AConsider the raised bleeding risk and seek medical advice
- BGive a double dose of warfarin to prevent clots
- CNo action is needed unless the resident becomes drowsy or vomits
- DWithhold warfarin for a week, observe and restart at the same dose
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Answer: A. HSE falls workbook, section 8 (medications): following a fall, consider any increased risk of harm such as fracture or bleeding due to the medications the person is taking; if an individual is on warfarin and has a head injury, seek medical advice. Also check lying and standing blood pressure and seek medical review if necessary. In every fall, assess for injury before moving the person, record observations and complete an incident report.
Source: HSE Falls Reduction Workbook for Clinicians (MFRA), section 8 medications
Question 2
What is the key message of the HSE falls workbook about timing of falls prevention?
- APrevention begins after the first injurious fall has been reported
- BPrevention is mainly the physiotherapist’s role, not the nurse’s
- CFalls in older people are largely unavoidable
- DAct before a fall happens; most risks are modifiable
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Answer: D. HSE workbook key message: do not wait until a fall occurs; take preventative action because most falls risk factors are modifiable, and every member of the team has a role.
Source: HSE Falls Reduction Workbook for Clinicians (MFRA), introduction
Question 3
What does the HSE workbook say about low-low beds?
- AClassed as restraint and not permitted
- BRecommended for every patient over 75 regardless of risk
- CEliminate falls from bed, so other measures can stop
- DMay reduce injury but not the risk of falling
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Answer: D. HSE workbook: low-low beds may reduce injury from a fall out of bed but have not been shown to reduce the number of falls, and each person must be assessed individually, since a very low bed can make standing up harder.
Source: HSE Falls Reduction Workbook for Clinicians (MFRA), low-low beds
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Documents behind these questions
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