Test Your Medicine Knowledge (Answer)

The correct answer is Haloperidol
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Delirium is a change in brain function that causes a person to appear confused or disoriented, typically with a fluctuating course.
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It is different from dementia because it develops suddenly (over hours to days) rather than months to years. And unlike dementia, delirium is usually temporary, resolving when the underlying cause is addressed promptly e.g a urinary tract infection, sepsis etc.
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Haloperidol, a typical antipsychotic medication is often used in small doses and for short periods of time to treat delirium in the ICU. Sedatives such as lorazepam (Ativan) and diazepam (Valium), can build up in the bloodstream and cause the person to become more confused.
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Supportive care such as making sure the person gets enough to eat and drink (or providing nutrition through an IV, if needed) is important in preventing additional complications.

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