Case Lab · Type A · Foundation

F05

Worse by evening

An 80-year-old man, previously living independently with no known memory problems, is admitted with a chest infection. Over the following two days, nursing staff note he is drowsy and difficult to rouse in the morning but agitated, disoriented and reporting insects on the wall by evening. His attention wanders and he cannot maintain a conversation for more than a few seconds during the evening assessment. Blood tests show markers consistent with infection.