A previously lucid patient with early-stage Alzheimer's disease is hospitalized after a surgical procedure and exhibits distractibility and perceptual disturbances that occur only in the late afternoon. The patient has difficulty sleeping at night and instead sleeps much of the morning. What is the likely cause of these symptoms?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described in the scenario, including distractibility and perceptual disturbances in the late afternoon, difficulty sleeping at night, and sleeping in the morning, are consistent with Sundowner syndrome. Sundowner syndrome, also known as sundowning, is common among individuals with dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and is characterized by a worsening of symptoms in the late afternoon and evening, including confusion, anxiety, and agitation. These symptoms often improve in the morning. Hyperactive and hypoactive delirium are unlikely causes as the symptoms do not match the presentation of either type of delirium, and worsening dementia would not explain the specific timing of the symptoms.

A Previously Lucid Patient with Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease Is Hospitalized