14th June 2021

A 77-year-old man is an inpatient on a general medicine ward

A 77-year-old man is an inpatient on a general medicine ward. He had been admitted for treatment of community-acquired pneumonia, and several days into his admission becomes acutely confused. Blood tests were consistent with infection – with no other abnormalities – and a CT head was done, which was normal. He is diagnosed with acute confusional state, secondary to infection.

During the night, he becomes very agitated and is becoming disruptive in his bay – trying to get into other patients’ beds and resisting attempts from the nursing team to call him down. The nursing team request that sedation is prescribed. His past medical history includes ischaemic heart disease, chronic kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease, and osteoarthritis.

Which of the following statements about sedatives in delirium is true?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.