A previously healthy 75-year-old woman is found agitated and confused in the surgical award. Four days ago she was admitted for hip joint fracture repair. She is cognitively intact, calm, and cooperative with the nursing staff Over the past 24 hours, she is unarousable during the day, but then is awake and impulsive during the night, requiring frequent reorientation. She usually drinks alcohol occasionally. Her only current medication is oxycodone for pain. Neurological examination is normal, but the patient is unable to attend to the conversation, is mildly disoriented, and cannot state the days of the week backwards. Urine dipstick is normal. which of the following medications is most appropriate to treat this patient's behavioral symptoms?

Question

A previously healthy 75-year-old woman is found agitated and confused in the surgical award. Four days ago she was admitted for hip joint fracture repair. She is cognitively intact, calm, and cooperative with the nursing staff Over the past 24 hours, she is unarousable during the day, but then is awake and impulsive during the night, requiring frequent reorientation. She usually drinks alcohol occasionally. Her only current medication is oxycodone for pain. Neurological examination is normal, but the patient is unable to attend to the conversation, is mildly disoriented, and cannot state the days of the week backwards. Urine dipstick is normal. which of the following medications is most appropriate to treat this patient's behavioral symptoms?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Delirium is characterized by the acute onset of waxing and waning altered mental status. Low-dose antipsychotics (eg, haloperidol) are the medications of choice to treat the behavioral (eg, severe agitation) and psychotic manifestations of delirium.

A Previously Healthy 75-Year-Old Woman Is Found Agitated and Confused