A 70-year-old woman in a residential aged care facility with advanced dementia develops new confusion, agitation and inattention over 24 hours. She ha...

Question

A 70-year-old woman in a residential aged care facility with advanced dementia develops new confusion, agitation and inattention over 24 hours. She has a low-grade fever. According to Australian delirium guidelines, what is the most appropriate initial approach?

Accepted Answer

Assess for underlying causes such as infection, medications and pain, implement non-pharmacological strategies and treat identified causes

Answer

Start antipsychotics immediately without assessment

Answer

Restrain her physically to prevent harm

Answer

Increase sedating medications and avoid investigations

Answer

Assume progression of dementia and make no changes

au-amc MCQ (SBA): Delirium in older adults

A 70-year-old woman in a residential aged care facility with advanced dementia develops new confusion, agitation and inattention over 24 hours. She has a low-grade fever. According to Australian delirium guidelines, what is the most appropriate initial approach?