October 2022 Critical Care Case of the Month: A Middle-Aged Couple “Not Acting Right”

Richard A. Robbins, MD

Pulmonary and Critical Care Research and Education Foundation

Gilbert, AZ USA

History of Present Illness

A 62-year-old man and his 61-year-old wife were brought to Emergency Department by family who reported “they’re not acting right”. Both complain of headache, weakness, tiredness, trouble with daily activities and memory difficulties.

PMH, SH, and FH

• They live in a log cabin in a rural area near Payson.
• The man had a history of myocardial infarction and was post-op percutaneous intervention with stenting 3 years ago.
• There was no significant PMH in the woman.
• Both are retired. Neither drank alcohol to excess or smoked.

Meds (man only):

• Enteric-coated aspirin
• Metoprolol
• Atorvostatin

Physical Examination

• Vital signs in both are normal
• Both are oriented X 3 but sluggish and slow to answer.
• Physical examination is otherwise unremarkable in both.

What should be done at this time? (click on the correct answer to be directed to the second of seven pages)

1. CBC, BMP, ABGs
2. CXR
3. EKG
4. 1 and 3
5. All of the above

Cite as: Robbins RA. October 2022 Critical Care Case of the Month: A Middle-Aged Couple “Not Acting Right”. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care Sleep. 2022;25(4):43-46. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpccs042-22 PDF