5th May 2024

A 49-year-old woman with a history of chronic alcoholism is brought to the emergency department by her family due to confusion, unsteady gait, and abnormal eye movements.

A 49-year-old woman with a history of chronic alcoholism is brought to the emergency department by her family due to confusion, unsteady gait, and abnormal eye movements. She has a poor dietary intake and has been increasingly isolated over the past few weeks. On examination, she is disoriented, has nystagmus, and exhibits ataxia. There is a high suspicion of Wernicke’s encephalopathy.

Which is the most appropriate initial management for her symptoms?