A 39-year-old woman is hospitalized for appendicitis and undergoes an appendectomy on hospital day 1. The patient has an uncomplicated postoperative course until the morning of hospital day 3, when she suddenly becomes acutely agitated. She tries to get out of bed and shouts, "Get your hands off me! God is watching!" when the nurses try to redirect her back into bed. The patient has a history of schizophrenia, hypertension, multiple substance use disorders, and homelessness. Medical records indicate that she was treated for a heroin and cocaine overdose last year and has had multiple admissions related to her substance use. Temperature is 39 C (102.2 F), blood pressure is 171/95 mm Hg, pulse is 102/min, and respirations are 18/min. The patient is oriented only to person. She is diaphoretic, but the remainder of the examination is limited due to agitation. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's condition?

Question

A 39-year-old woman is hospitalized for appendicitis and undergoes an appendectomy on hospital day 1.  The patient has an uncomplicated postoperative course until the morning of hospital day 3, when she suddenly becomes acutely agitated.  She tries to get out of bed and shouts, "Get your hands off me!  God is watching!" when the nurses try to redirect her back into bed.  The patient has a history of schizophrenia, hypertension, multiple substance use disorders, and homelessness.  Medical records indicate that she was treated for a heroin and cocaine overdose last year and has had multiple admissions related to her substance use.  Temperature is 39 C (102.2 F), blood pressure is 171/95 mm Hg, pulse is 102/min, and respirations are 18/min.  The patient is oriented only to person.  She is diaphoretic, but the remainder of the examination is limited due to agitation.  Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's condition?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is C

A 39-Year-Old Woman Is Hospitalized for Appendicitis and Undergoes an Appendectomy