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Delirium due to hypoxia — DGM MCQ

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EasyDeliriumDelirium due to hypoxiaDGM

An 85-year-old woman becomes confused on the respiratory ward. She is more breathless and cannot complete sentences. Oxygen saturation is 84% on air and she has widespread wheeze. Current medicines include salbutamol, prednisolone and amlodipine. What is the most appropriate assessment?

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Correct answer: C — Assess and correct hypoxia urgently

Hypoxia is a dangerous reversible cause of delirium and requires urgent assessment and correction. Memory clinic review, dementia treatment, discharge after screening and depression treatment ignore the acute physiological abnormality. In delirium, vital signs can point to the cause and urgency.

Reference: NICE CG103