A 70-year-old woman in residential aged care has advanced dementia and recurrent nocturnal agitation. Staff request regular sedating antipsychotics. A...

Question

A 70-year-old woman in residential aged care has advanced dementia and recurrent nocturnal agitation. Staff request regular sedating antipsychotics. According to the RACGP Silver Book, what is the most appropriate approach?

Accepted Answer

Use non-pharmacological strategies first and consider short-term, low-dose antipsychotics only if there is severe distress or risk of harm

Answer

Prescribe regular antipsychotic medication as first-line for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia

Answer

Prescribe benzodiazepines nightly

Answer

Physically restrain the patient at night

Answer

Increase daytime sedation to improve sleep

au-racgp MCQ (SBA): Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia

A 70-year-old woman in residential aged care has advanced dementia and recurrent nocturnal agitation. Staff request regular sedating antipsychotics. According to the RACGP Silver Book, what is the most appropriate approach?