Question

"A previously healthy 67-year-old man, who is experiencing an acute change in mental status, is brought to the emergency department by his family. There is no evidence in the initial history, physical examination, and laboratory studies to indicate substance intoxication or withdrawal, or to suggest another medical problem as the cause of his altered mental state. Over the course of 1 hour of observation, his level of alertness varies from alert but distractible, with apparent auditory and visual hallucinations, to somnolent; he has difficulty sustaining attention to an examiner, and he cannot perform simple tasks such as serial subtractions or spelling words backwards. What is the most appropriate diagnosis?

a. Delirium
b. Delirium due to another medical condition
c. Delirium due to substance intoxication
d. Delirium due to multiple etiologies
e. Unspecified delirium"

Answer 1

The most appropriate diagnosis is delirium due to another medical condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate diagnosis for the previously healthy 67-year-old man with acute change in mental status is delirium due to another medical condition. Delirium is characterized by disruptions in memory, confusion, difficulty with tasks, poor judgment, and personality changes. In this case, there is no evidence of substance intoxication or withdrawal, and no other medical problems identified, indicating that the delirium is likely due to an underlying medical condition.