A 73-year-old woman is admitted to the hospital due to pneumonia. The patient is known to have hypertension and diabetes mellitus type two. Physical examination shows decreased breath sound in the right lung, with crackles and wheezes. A right lung consolidation is confirmed by radiological imaging. The patient has been prescribed the proper antibiotics. On the first day of admission, the patient reports visual hallucinations of animals around her in the room. The patient started shouting accusing the hospital of giving her toxic materials in her blood, and then fell asleep suddenly. She became violent and needs restraints. Vital signs are normal. She has disorientation and can't cooperate with the medical examination. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for this patient's current behavior?

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Eductional Objective: Delirium is an acute-onset state of confusion with reversible features. Patients present with attention, memory, and executive function impairment. Patients with dementia present with gradual onset, an irreversible confusional state without fluctuations.

A 73-Year-Old Woman Is Admitted to the Hospital Due to Pneumonia