06-03-2009, 12:24 PM
An 82-year-old male patient presents to your office
for confusion. His wife reports that he was in his usual
state of health until 3 days ago. At that time, he developed
abdominal pain and felt feverish. He then began
to have a dry, hacking cough. On examination his
temperature is 100.3° F and blood pressure is 118/56.
He is pale and lethargic but in no acute distress. He
is oriented to person only. Other than mild upper
abdominal tenderness, there are no additional findings
on exam.
This patient appears to have a new onset of confusion.
You suspect delirium.
Which of the following characteristics
distinguish(es) delirium from dementia?
A) In delirium it is rare to find an underlying medical
cause.
B) A primary feature of delirium is inattention.
C) The diagnostic criteria for delirium include behavioral
changes.
D) Dementia is characterized by a fluctuating course.
E) The diagnosis of delirium in the elderly requires
that the patient has underlying dementia
for confusion. His wife reports that he was in his usual
state of health until 3 days ago. At that time, he developed
abdominal pain and felt feverish. He then began
to have a dry, hacking cough. On examination his
temperature is 100.3° F and blood pressure is 118/56.
He is pale and lethargic but in no acute distress. He
is oriented to person only. Other than mild upper
abdominal tenderness, there are no additional findings
on exam.
This patient appears to have a new onset of confusion.
You suspect delirium.
Which of the following characteristics
distinguish(es) delirium from dementia?
A) In delirium it is rare to find an underlying medical
cause.
B) A primary feature of delirium is inattention.
C) The diagnostic criteria for delirium include behavioral
changes.
D) Dementia is characterized by a fluctuating course.
E) The diagnosis of delirium in the elderly requires
that the patient has underlying dementia