Question

Henry is an 84-year-old male who presents to the ER in a state of confusion. The patient lives in close proximity to the hospital and walks in, stating that he is "looking for his favorite restaurant" and becomes angry and violent when employees attempt to help. After restraining the patient, a bottle of prescription medication (donepezil) was found in his coat pocket. What is the most appropriate next step in managing this patient's condition?

Answer 1

The most appropriate next step in managing this patient's condition would be to conduct a thorough medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause of his confusion and violent behavior. This would involve physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. Donepezil, a medication found in the patient's pocket, may be a potential cause of his symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate next step in managing this patient's condition would be to conduct a thorough medical evaluation, including a physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging studies, to determine the underlying cause of his confusion and violent behavior.

Given that a bottle of prescription medication (donepezil) was found in the patient's pocket, it is important to consider the possibility of a drug-related adverse effect. Donepezil is a medication commonly used to treat dementia and can lead to confusion and behavioral changes as side effects.

Additionally, it would be important to assess other potential causes of confusion in older adults, such as infection, metabolic abnormalities, or underlying psychiatric conditions. Treatment would depend on the specific diagnosis and could involve discontinuing or adjusting medications, providing supportive care, and addressing any underlying medical conditions.