American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Practice Exam 2025 - Free ANCC Practice Questions and Study Guide

Warfarin poses the highest risk for injury following a fall in older adults due to its anticoagulant properties. As a blood thinner, warfarin significantly increases the risk of bleeding, which can lead to severe complications if a patient falls. In older adults, who may already be at a higher risk of falls due to factors like impaired balance, decreased strength, or other medical conditions, the consequences of bleeding from an injury can be particularly serious. This can result in internal bleeding, hematomas, or even life-threatening conditions, thus making the risk of substantial injury notably higher when compared to other medications.

Other medications listed, while they may carry their own risks, do not have the same immediate and potentially severe impact on injury risk following a fall as warfarin does. For instance, acetaminophen/hydrocodone can influence sedation and pain management but is less directly linked to increased bleeding. Alendronate, commonly used for osteoporosis, can help strengthen bones but does not directly affect bleeding risk. Loratadine is an antihistamine with minimal sedating effects and less overall risk in this context. Thus, warfarin’s role as an anticoagulant uniquely positions it as the medication with the highest risk for injury due to