Question

A 55-year-old man with chronic heavy alcohol use presents with confusion, ataxia and nystagmus. You suspect Wernicke's encephalopathy. According to Australian guidance, what is the MOST appropriate immediate treatment?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous thiamine before any glucose administration

Answer

Oral thiamine 100 mg daily

Answer

Intravenous glucose before thiamine to correct hypoglycaemia

Answer

Benzodiazepines alone

Answer

No thiamine unless blood levels are low

Practice question

A 55-year-old man with chronic heavy alcohol use presents with confusion, ataxia and nystagmus. You suspect Wernicke's encephalopathy. According to Australian guidance, what is the MOST appropriate immediate treatment?