Final answer:
When a patient presents to a practitioner's office subsequent to a fall, the doctor should ask questions about hitting the head, where the fall occurred, and what the patient was doing at the time. Additional tests may include imaging and blood tests, and the treatment recommended will depend on the specific findings.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient presents to a practitioner's office subsequent to a fall, the doctor should ask the following questions:
- Did you hit your head during the fall? This is important to determine if there is any risk of traumatic brain injury.
- Where did the fall occur? This helps in identifying any environmental factors that may have contributed to the fall, such as loose carpets or rugs.
- What were you doing at the time of the fall? This provides insight into whether any activities or movements may have caused imbalance and led to the fall.
Additional tests that may be performed on the patient include imaging tests such as X-rays to assess for any fractures, and blood tests to check for underlying conditions that may have contributed to the fall, such as osteoporosis.
The type of treatment recommended by the doctor would depend on the specific findings from the evaluation. This may include interventions such as physical therapy to improve balance and strength, medication to manage underlying conditions, and modifications to the patient's living environment to minimize fall risks.