Final answer:
Physical therapists should screen for fall risk whenever a patient is taking an anticoagulant medication due to the increased risk of bleeding and blood clot formation. This is important in patients with cardiovascular diseases or conditions like DVT.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physical therapists should screen for fall risk whenever a patient is taking an anticoagulant medication because anticoagulants can increase the risk of bleeding and the formation of blood clots. This is especially important in patients with cardiovascular diseases or conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Anticoagulant medications like coumadin (warfarin) are often prescribed to prevent excessive blood clotting in stroke or heart attack patients. However, these medications can also increase the risk of bleeding, which can lead to falls or other injuries. Therefore, physical therapists need to assess the fall risk of patients on anticoagulant medications to develop appropriate treatment plans and precautions to ensure patient safety.