Question

complete the midterm exam by day 7 of week 5.
question 12
1 pts
scenario: a 45-year-old female on a tca presents with confusion and hallucinations.
question: what is the most likely cause?

• serotonin syndrome
• anticholinergic toxicity
• withdrawal syndrome
• hypertensive crisis

Explanation:

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have anticholinergic effects. Anticholinergic toxicity can present with confusion, hallucinations, along with other symptoms like dry mouth, blurred vision, etc. Serotonin syndrome is more associated with serotonergic medications (e.g., SSRIs, MAOIs) and has symptoms like hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, etc. Withdrawal syndrome from TCAs would have different symptoms related to discontinuation, and hypertensive crisis is more associated with medications like MAOIs with certain food interactions. So the most likely cause here is anticholinergic toxicity.

Answer:

B. Anticholinergic toxicity