Case 17 of 40
New confusion after a fall needs urgent assessment for head injury
Example case for staff education
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Mr Stewart, 80, is newly confused after an unwitnessed fall.
Read the case 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. Seek prompt help for possible head injury or neurological deterioration, such as increasing drowsiness. Do not assume delirium alone explains the changes.