An elderly patient with a history of schizophrenia and a medical history significant for strokes has been stable on fluphenazine for many years. Her psychiatrist decides to lower the dose, and at the next session, abnormal movements of her mouth and tongue are noted, along with twitching and writing movements of her arms. Which is the best course of treatment?
Read DetailsA 71-year-old woman comes to an outpatient geriatric clinic to establish primary care for herself. Her history includes diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and depression; she takes metformin, enalapril, and escitalopram to manage these conditions. For the past year she has required assistance with shopping and food preparation. Her daughter assists her with these tasks, does her housekeeping, and also helps her mother get showered and dressed daily. Which one of the following aspects of the patient’s care would be considered an instrumental activity of daily living (IADL)?
Read DetailsA family brings their 70-year-old grandmother with no prior psychiatric history to the emergency department for evaluation of approximately 1 year of verbal agitation that has worsened over the past 2 months. After a thorough medical and psychiatric evaluation, the evaluating physician determines that the patient likely has Alzheimer’s dementia and is considering treatment for agitation. Which of the following is important for the physician to consider when deciding on treatment?
Read Details