Out of My Head: Disturbed Consciousness

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. When I have a high fever, it's sometimes really hard to think. Sometimes I don't even remember saying something although my roommate swears I did! Does this mean my brain is permanently damaged by fever? Yes No

2. I've noticed I seem to start dreaming even before I fall asleep. Could this be a sign of serious trouble? Yes No

3. My mother started talking to "little people" she saw in her bedroom. I thought she had Alzheimer's, but her doctor did a blood test and adjusted her heart medicine! It worked, but what was most likely to have caused her problem? She was probably taking digoxin, which is related to the deadly poison foxglove. She was probably dehydrated from diuretics. She was probably taking a blood pressure pill which reduced blood flow to her brain. She was probably taking reserpine which can cause psychiatric symptoms, including hallucinations and depression.

4. When I was in the hospital after surgery, I had horrible dreams that made me wake up screaming! What was happening? Most likely a response to the physical trauma of surgery. Most likely an early sign of schizophrenia. Most likely caused by worry and stress about the disease. Most likely a side effect of pain medication.

5. After a long, hard weekend of celebrating, I sometimes see moving bugs on the walls! My buddies told me I should sleep it off and cut back on the sauce for a few days. Did they give me good advice? Yes No

6. "ICU psychosis" is believed to be the result of higher levels of oxygen than the brain is exposed to while breathing room air. Yes No

7. Grandpa told me he often sees things even though he knows they're not there! Which of these exams might help explain his problem? vision short-term memory hearing cardiac conduction

8. My surgical patient was agitated and delirious. I identified the reason and started to treat it, but I was worried he might get hurt before the problem cleared. So I called in a psychiatric consult. What type of medication did the psychiatrist recommend? antipsychotics antidepressants sleeping pills none; she made an appointment for dynamic psychotherapy when he felt better.

9. I smoked a little weed last night, not an unusual amount, and I got incredibly paranoid! I had to curl up and hold my lips shut because I could feel my teeth falling out of my gums! My brother says weed can't do that, and I must have gotten some that was "dusted." Is he right? Yes No

10. My grandmother has diabetes, and I've noticed she sometimes gets confused and out of it. Should I give her more insulin when this happens? Yes No