Amnesia, dissociative disorders and delirium Quiz: Ace Your Exams

A 74-year-old person presents to the emergency department for evaluation of confusion. The patient’s partner states that the previous night the patient was acting “normal.” However, the patient’s partner says that this morning they found the patient sitting on the toilet and that the patient couldn’t remember their own name or where they were, so the partner called emergency services. The patient has a past medical history of hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia for which they take amlodipine and tamsulosin. The patient drinks one to two glasses of wine at night. Temperature is 37.7°C (99.9°F), pulse is 92/min, respirations are 22/min, blood pressure is 131/70 mmHg, and O₂ saturation is 98% on room air. The patient is currently oriented to self but not to place or year. The patient is asked to spell the word “world” backwards, but they are unable to do so. The patient is able to follow simple one-step commands, moves all extremities appropriately, and ambulates without difficulty. The patient’s abdomen is soft and mildly distended. Cardiopulmonary examination is unremarkable. Further diagnostic testing is most likely to demonstrate which of the following findings?