What is the immediate evaluation after a patient falls called?

• A. Barthel Index
• B. AMPAC
• C. Intrinsic Risk Factors
• D. Post Fall Assessment

Answer: (D)

Immediate evaluation after a fall is called a post fall assessment. This quick, structured check aims to identify injuries, ensure patient stability, and determine urgent next steps. It covers vital signs, level of consciousness, any new pain or injuries, potential head trauma, dizziness or confusion, and orthostatic changes. It also considers medications that might have contributed, hydration status, and environmental factors that could have caused the fall. The information from a post fall assessment guides decisions about imaging, treatment, monitoring, and fall-prevention planning to reduce the risk of another fall.

The Barthel Index measures independence in activities of daily living over time, not the immediate post-fall check. The AMPAC assesses functional abilities and mobility but is not specifically the immediate post-fall evaluation. Intrinsic risk factors describe patient characteristics that increase fall risk, rather than the act of evaluating a patient right after a fall.