Which category includes factors such as prior falls, medications, and gait instability that increase fall risk?

• A. Extrinsic Risk Factors
• B. Morse Fall Risk Scale
• C. Intrinsic Risk Factors
• D. AMPAC

Answer: (C)

Factors like prior falls, medications, and gait instability are internal to the person, reflecting health status and function. These are intrinsic risk factors because they originate from the individual’s physiology and medical condition (a history of falls indicating frailty, medications that can cause dizziness or orthostatic changes, and balance or gait impairment). In contrast, extrinsic risk factors are external ones in the environment, such as clutter, poor lighting, or slippery floors. A risk assessment tool like the Morse Fall Risk Scale helps gauge overall risk but isn’t itself a category of factors. AMPAC is a functional assessment measure, not a factor category. So, the category that includes these internal contributors to fall risk is intrinsic risk factors.