Example case 1 of 40
Not joining the conversation
Hypoactive delirium after admission
Mrs Bell, 82, was admitted last night with a chest infection.
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Page 1
Panel 1
Mrs Bell, 82, was admitted last night with a chest infection.
Day nurse: Good morning, Mrs Bell. Your tea is here.
Panel 2
She does not answer. Her breakfast is untouched.
Support worker: She was chatting at midnight. This is new.
Panel 3
The nurse checks alertness and takes observations.
Day nurse: Mrs Bell, can you open your eyes for me?
Panel 4
Quiet withdrawal can be delirium. The doctor assesses her now.
Doctor: Thank you for spotting the change. I will assess her now.
Commentary
Quiet withdrawal and new drowsiness can be signs of delirium. Assess promptly and look for causes.
An anonymised composite case that does not describe one identifiable person and is not research evidence.