Question

A 78-year-old man in hospital after hip fracture repair becomes acutely confused overnight, with fluctuating attention and disorganised thinking. Which feature best supports a diagnosis of delirium rather than dementia?

Accepted Answer

Acute onset and fluctuating course

Answer

Gradual memory decline over 2 years

Answer

Impairment of short-term memory only

Answer

Preserved attention but poor recall

Answer

Stable functioning with visual hallucinations only

Practice question

A 78-year-old man in hospital after hip fracture repair becomes acutely confused overnight, with fluctuating attention and disorganised thinking. Which feature best supports a diagnosis of delirium rather than dementia?