Example case 17 of 40
Confusion after a fall
Look for neurological warning signs
Mr Stewart, 80, is newly confused after an unwitnessed fall.
Click or tap each illustration to enlarge it. The commentary and text transcript follow below.
Read the text transcript
Page 1
Panel 1
Mr Stewart, 80, is newly confused after an unwitnessed fall.
Nurse Reid: He takes apixaban. We need urgent assessment.
Panel 2
Clinicians assess consciousness, neurology and other injuries.
Doctor Mensah: There may have been a head injury.
Panel 3
Drowsiness increases. Staff escalate immediately and arrange urgent imaging.
Nurse Reid: He is harder to wake than when he arrived.
Panel 4
CT finds a subdural haematoma. Emergency specialist care continues.
Doctor Mensah: Contact neurosurgery and review his anticoagulation urgently.
Commentary
New confusion after a fall needs urgent assessment. Neurological deterioration and possible head injury require prompt escalation; do not assume uncomplicated delirium.
An anonymised composite case that does not describe one identifiable person and is not research evidence.