Example case 5 of 40
Frightened by the ward
Support when fear returns
Mr Mensah, 70, has delirium and believes staff intend harm.
Click or tap each illustration to enlarge it. The commentary and text transcript follow below.
Read the text transcript
Page 1
Panel 1
Mr Mensah, 70, has delirium and believes staff intend harm.
Mr Mensah: Go away. You are trying to hurt me.
Panel 2
Nurse Lee approaches calmly while other staff step back.
Nurse Lee: I am Lee, your nurse. I am here to help.
Panel 3
She acknowledges his fear and asks about discomfort.
Nurse Lee: I can see you are frightened. Are you in pain?
Panel 4
Staff reduce noise and contact his son.
Nurse Lee: Your son is coming soon.
Panel 5
He settles for a while and drinks some tea.
Mr Mensah: Thank you, Lee. I feel safer now.
Panel 6
Later, the fear returns.
Mr Mensah: They are coming for me. Get them away.
Panel 7
Staff reassess illness, pain, toileting needs and other possible causes.
Nurse Lee: Has anything changed since we last checked?
Panel 8
Severe distress persists. The senior doctor reviews him urgently.
Senior doctor: We will stay with you and review your treatment.
Panel 9
Support continues overnight. Staff hand over what helps.
Nurse Lee: He settles with one calm voice. Sudden noise frightens him.
Commentary
Fear and distress can return. Repeat assessment, continue support and seek senior review for persistent severe distress.
An anonymised composite case that does not describe one identifiable person and is not research evidence.