Hi, welcome to our site. I am Dr Saumya Mittal. Read your query. That is a very significant question and i appreciate your problem. I will try my best to answer your query There are several possible reasons why she is having jerky movements. One possible cause is that she has some kind of metabolic/septic encephalopathy and therefore she is having some seizure like activity. Second possible cause, if she is concious is that she is uncomfortable with the endotracheal tube in her throat that is connecting her to the ventilator. In that case, it is a normal reflex of the body to try to get the tube out. Since the tube is there, she cannot speak and so she tries to shake her head. When a person is in the ICU for a long time, they developed what is called ICU psychosis. Basically the person is alone in an area and they start acting weird. That may be one cause. She is not aware that she cannot breathe without the machine and so tries to get it removed. The patient in ICU and on ventilator is usually getting a large number of medicines. These medicines make a cocktail and have strange reactions in the body. This may again lead to psychosis and therefore her attempts to have the tube removed. She may be given a piece of paper and pen to write down whatever she needs. Getting an EEG and CT scan would be a very good idea. As also the electrolytes. You could talk to the doctor about possibility of sedation I hope this helps you. Inform the reports mentioned above so i can be of help further. Best of luck. I have given you the answer to the maximum considering the information provided. The results of the tests could further enhance my answer to you. Please do understand that some details could be extracted from a detailed history and examination. Looking forward to your return query with the details asked so that I can help you further. Please feel free to ask another query. Would be glad to help you. (If the answer has helped you, please indicate this)