Pastest

Question 1

Commonest cause of delirium

Answer 1

Acute medical illness

e.g. infections, electrolyte imabalance

Question 2

A 52 year old journalist (who likes long ‘liquid’ lunches!) develops nystagmus, confusion and marked coordination problems with walking

Answer 2

Wernicke’s encephalopathy

Question 3

What causes Wernicke’s encephalopathy?

Answer 3

• thiamine deficiency
• common in alcoholics
• treatment is with urgent thiamine orally or IV to prevent irreversible Korsakoff’s psychosis (dementia with severe impairment of new learning)

Question 4

What is Korsakoff’s psychosis?

Answer 4

Dementia with severe impairment of new learning

Question 5

A 44 year old actress develops panic attacks, visual hallucinations and sweating after a prolonged travel delay due to an airport strike. She has a reputation of being a heavy drinker but her last alcoholic drink was 2 days ago

Answer 5

Delirium Tremens

• this is a result of withdrawal
• usually occurs 48-72 hours after last alcoholic drink