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What Causes Confusion And Disorientation When Treating Pneumonia?
Question: My Father is in the Hospital with pneumonia which Doctors say is getting better. But he has become very confused and disoriented which is not like him at all. Was wondering if has another infection they might be missing
Brief Answer:
It's possible but not certain
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
confusion happens a lot in hospitalized old individuals. I suppose that 72 years is your father's age. Did he have dementia before going to the hospital?
Confusion can be attributed to dementia (worsening when individuals have to stay to an unfamiliar place), infection (could be the initial one), metabolic disorders (electrolytes etc), renal failure etc
I couldn't say for sure which of the above fits your father's case because I don't know the details and have not examined him or seen his laboratory tests.
Also please keep in mind that while an infection may get better, the patient's condition may still be serious.
I hope I've helped!
If you'd like more information, please provide more details about his condition and ask using your follow-up question.
Important details would include his general condition (communication, sleepiness etc), temperature (is the fever getting better?), laboratory tests (particularly white blood cells count, C-reactive protein, creatinine, electrolytes), drugs (did they prescribe any anxiolytics or other central nervous system drugs?), arterial oxygen (or oxygen saturation) or any other related information about his medical status.
My best wishes for a rapid recovery!
Kind Regards!
It's possible but not certain
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
confusion happens a lot in hospitalized old individuals. I suppose that 72 years is your father's age. Did he have dementia before going to the hospital?
Confusion can be attributed to dementia (worsening when individuals have to stay to an unfamiliar place), infection (could be the initial one), metabolic disorders (electrolytes etc), renal failure etc
I couldn't say for sure which of the above fits your father's case because I don't know the details and have not examined him or seen his laboratory tests.
Also please keep in mind that while an infection may get better, the patient's condition may still be serious.
I hope I've helped!
If you'd like more information, please provide more details about his condition and ask using your follow-up question.
Important details would include his general condition (communication, sleepiness etc), temperature (is the fever getting better?), laboratory tests (particularly white blood cells count, C-reactive protein, creatinine, electrolytes), drugs (did they prescribe any anxiolytics or other central nervous system drugs?), arterial oxygen (or oxygen saturation) or any other related information about his medical status.
My best wishes for a rapid recovery!
Kind Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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