Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) Practice Exam

What does acute confusion in patients often suggest in the CURB-65 criteria?

1. A lower respiratory tract infection

2. Current use of sedative medications

3. Possible sepsis

4. Cognitive impairment due to age

The correct answer is: Possible sepsis

Acute confusion in patients, particularly within the context of the CURB-65 criteria, often suggests possible sepsis. The CURB-65 criteria are used to assess the severity of pneumonia and help guide treatment decisions. This acronym stands for Confusion, Urea, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure, and age over 65. When confusion is present, it can indicate a more systemic issue, such as sepsis, which occurs when the body's response to an infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs. Sepsis can lead to altered mental status, which is often observed as acute confusion in patients. Recognizing this symptom is crucial, as it suggests that the patient's condition may be serious and could require immediate attention and treatment. While lower respiratory tract infections and other factors such as sedative medication use and cognitive impairment related to age can also contribute to confusion, in the context of CURB-65, acute confusion serves as a significant marker for possible deterioration, including sepsis.