Which of the following medication categories would potentially increase fall risk?

Medication categories that potentially increase fall risk include cardiovascular (CV) and central nervous system (CNS) medications. These types of drugs can affect balance, coordination, and cognitive function, which are critical for maintaining stability and preventing falls.

CNS medications, such as sedatives, antidepressants, and antipsychotics, can impair mental alertness or create sedation, leading to unsteady gait or dizziness. Similarly, certain CV medications, like antihypertensives, can cause orthostatic hypotension, which is a drop in blood pressure when standing up, resulting in dizziness that may increase fall risk.

By recognizing the implications of these categories, healthcare providers can better assess and manage the risk of falls in patients taking these medications, emphasizing the importance of reviewing a patient's medication history and monitoring for any side effects that could lead to instability.