A patient with pneumonia for 5 days is admitted to the hospital now with an altered sensorium. He suddenly ceases to recognize the doctor and staff. He thinks that he is in jail and complains of scorpion attacking him. His probable diagnosis is
Correct Answer: Acute delirium
Description: Ans.B. i.e. Acute deliriumDeliriumAcute confusional state occurring in various medical, surgical, metabolic, toxic & post-operative conditions. It is characterized by acute agitation, disorientation, and inability to sustain attention, form memories or reason. Characteristic features include- Clouding of consciousness (i.e, decreased awareness & decreased ability to respond to environmental stimuli)- Disorientation (in time > place > person)- Hallucinations (mostly visual) & illusions- Autonomic dysfunction, agitation, insomnia- Carphologia/floccilation (picking movements at clothes coversheets) & occupational delirium (pantomimes as if continuing the usual occupation in a hospital bed)This patient in question has- disturbance in consciousness (altered sensorium) - disorientation - to place (thinks, he is in jail)- ceases to recognize the doctor & staff- hallucination (complaints of scorpions attacking him) - after an acute medical illness.All these features are consistent with the diagnosis delirium.
Category:
Psychiatry
Get More
Subject Mock Tests
Practice with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects and improve your knowledge.
Attempt a mock test nowMock Exam
Take an exam with 100 random questions selected from all subjects to test your knowledge.
Coming SoonGet More
Subject Mock Tests
Try practicing mock tests with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects.
Attempt a mock test now