Environmental hazards like wet floors or poor lighting are examples of which risk factors?

• A. Intrinsic Risk Factors
• B. Hip Fractures
• C. TBI
• D. Extrinsic Risk Factors

Answer: (D)

Environmental hazards are external conditions that increase the chance of harm, so they’re categorized as extrinsic risk factors. Wet floors and poor lighting come from the surroundings rather than from the person’s body or health status, and they can be altered to reduce risk. For older adults, such external hazards greatly raise the likelihood of slips, trips, and falls, especially given slower reaction times and balance changes. In contrast, intrinsic risk factors come from within the person—things like osteoporosis, muscle weakness, or chronic conditions. Because the question points to hazards in the environment that can be changed to improve safety, extrinsic risk factors best fit.