Okuzeka
Nursing vocabulary · Basic Care and Mobility

Fall risk

Meaning in nursing, with examples

/ˈfɔːl rɪsk/nounCore term

In nursing, fall risk means: How likely a patient is to fall, judged from things like age, medicines, confusion, poor balance or earlier falls.

In Turkish: düşme riski

How it is used

Used in assessments, handovers and signs above the bed: a patient is 'a high fall risk' or 'at risk of falls'. Hospitals score it with tools such as the Morse Fall Scale and then take measures such as a low bed, non-slip socks or the call bell within reach. In the UK people often say 'falls risk'.

Example sentences

  1. Mr Kaya is a high fall risk, so please don't leave him alone in the bathroom.

  2. We reassessed her fall risk after the new sleeping tablet was started.

Common collocations

  • high fall risk
  • fall risk assessment
  • reduce the fall risk
  • fall risk score
  • assessmentA careful, organised check of a patient's physical and mental condition and needs, used to plan and adjust their nursing care.
  • call bellA button by a patient's bed or in the bathroom that the patient presses to call a nurse for help.
  • mobilizeTo get a patient moving by sitting up, standing or walking, especially after an operation or a period in bed.
  • incident reportA form completed when something happens that harmed, or could have harmed, a patient, visitor or member of staff, such as a fall or a medication error.

More terms: Basic Care and Mobility

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.