08-15-2007, 08:46 AM
A 42-year-old man who is HIV-positive is being treated for his first episode of
Pneumocystis
carinii
pneumonia on an inpatient medical ward when he begins to become increasingly
disoriented, combative, and agitated. Pulse oximetry shows that he is oxygenating at 93% on
room air. He is currently receiving nortriptyline for depression and gabapentin for pain due to
peripheral neuropathy. He has a history of alcohol abuse for the past several years before
hospitalization and a remote history of opioid abuse. Which of the following is the most likely
diagnosis?]
A. Alcohol withdrawal
B. HIV dementia
C. Hypoxemic encephalopathy
D. Major depressive disorder
E. Multifactorial delirium
Pneumocystis
carinii
pneumonia on an inpatient medical ward when he begins to become increasingly
disoriented, combative, and agitated. Pulse oximetry shows that he is oxygenating at 93% on
room air. He is currently receiving nortriptyline for depression and gabapentin for pain due to
peripheral neuropathy. He has a history of alcohol abuse for the past several years before
hospitalization and a remote history of opioid abuse. Which of the following is the most likely
diagnosis?]
A. Alcohol withdrawal
B. HIV dementia
C. Hypoxemic encephalopathy
D. Major depressive disorder
E. Multifactorial delirium