Drowsy and sweaty at 6 am

Instructions

You are an intern on the general medical ward. It is 6 am, and the nurse has called you to see Elsie Haddon, 80, admitted two days ago with vomiting and diarrhoea, who is drowsy, sweaty and confused.

1. 1

   Assess and manage the patient using an A to E approach

2. 2

   Outline to the examiner:

   • Your most likely diagnosis
   • Next steps in management, including relevant investigations

• A nurse is at the bedside and will carry out your instructions; describe procedures rather than doing them
• You do not need to take a full history
• You do not need to summarise your findings