An elderly nursing home resident has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dementia.The patient begins taking an antipsychotic drug for agitation.Tremor and bradykinesia develop, so an anticholinergic is added to the drug regimen.Within 3 days, the patient displays a marked cognitive deficit.Which medication is the most likely cause of the cognitive change?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Anticholinergics are known to cause cognitive deficits and can worsen symptoms such as confusion and memory loss in patients who have dementia. The antipsychotic may also contribute to cognitive changes, but the addition of the anticholinergic is the most likely cause. The other medications listed (antihypertensive and antidiabetic) are not commonly associated with cognitive deficits.

An Elderly Nursing Home Resident Has Been Diagnosed with Type