Question

Progress report: Two weeks later, Lena and Filip were re-united in their newly furbished room within the Fairview Home. Lena was in good spirits walking independently with a rollator frame. Filip, recovered from the pneumonia, had been discharged from hospital. To Lena, Filip looked well and had appeared put on some weight during his hospitalisation. However, he would not engage with his beloved violin-when staff offered this to him. Lena commented to staff that Filip’s language skills both English and Polish had declined significantly. Filip’s regular General Practitioner (GP) reviewed him and requested some blood tests. The GP made a longer appointment to review him again in the coming days. Considering Filip’s has a diagnosis of dementia, which of the 3 ‘Ds’ from Module 3 in the unit is Filip’s GP most likely to be concerned about . Explain why

Answer 1

Filip's GP is most likely to be concerned about the "Delirium" 'D' from Module 3 in the unit. Delirium is a condition characterized by an acute onset of confusion, changes in consciousness, and fluctuations in attention and cognitive function. Given that Filip has dementia and has recently recovered from pneumonia, he may be at a higher risk of developing delirium. The decline in his language skills, along with his disinterest in engaging with his beloved violin, could be indicative of delirium. The GP's concern is warranted as delirium can be triggered by various factors, including infections, medications, and changes in the environment, and it requires immediate attention and appropriate management to prevent further complications. Further evaluation through blood tests and longer appointments will be necessary to accurately diagnose and address the underlying cause of Filip's cognitive changes and disinterest.