A patient presents with acute onset confusion, fluctuating attention, and impaired awareness. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A patient presents with acute onset confusion, fluctuating attention, and impaired awareness. What is the most likely diagnosis?

• A. Mild neurocognitive disorder
• B. Delirium
• C. Illness anxiety disorder
• D. Major neurocognitive disorder

Answer: (B)

Delirium is the acute confusional state characterized by a sudden change in mental status with disturbances in attention and awareness that tend to fluctuate over the day. The scenario’s abrupt onset of confusion along with fluctuating attention and impaired awareness points to delirium, which is often triggered by an underlying medical, metabolic, or substance-related issue and is typically reversible with appropriate treatment. Mild neurocognitive disorder involves a gradual decline in cognitive function that develops over time and does not usually feature the acute, fluctuating disturbances in attention or consciousness seen in delirium. Major neurocognitive disorder entails more pronounced and persistent cognitive decline, also generally without the acute fluctuation pattern. Illness anxiety disorder centers on preoccupation with having a serious illness and does not primarily involve disturbances in attention or consciousness.

Delirium is the acute confusional state characterized by a sudden change in mental status with disturbances in attention and awareness that tend to fluctuate over the day. The scenario’s abrupt onset of confusion along with fluctuating attention and impaired awareness points to delirium, which is often triggered by an underlying medical, metabolic, or substance-related issue and is typically reversible with appropriate treatment.

Mild neurocognitive disorder involves a gradual decline in cognitive function that develops over time and does not usually feature the acute, fluctuating disturbances in attention or consciousness seen in delirium. Major neurocognitive disorder entails more pronounced and persistent cognitive decline, also generally without the acute fluctuation pattern. Illness anxiety disorder centers on preoccupation with having a serious illness and does not primarily involve disturbances in attention or consciousness.