American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Practice Exam

What is the drug of choice for improving delirium in hospitalized patients?

1. Aspirin

2. Haloperidol

3. Clopidogrel

4. Macrolide antibiotics

The correct answer is: Haloperidol

Haloperidol is considered the drug of choice for managing delirium in hospitalized patients due to its properties as an antipsychotic medication that effectively addresses symptoms of agitation and hallucinations commonly associated with delirium. This class of medication has been widely studied and used in clinical practice for this purpose. In cases of delirium, ensuring the safety and comfort of the patient is paramount, and haloperidol is particularly effective for this. It acts by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, which helps to stabilize mood and behavior. Furthermore, haloperidol is preferred because it has a predictable pharmacokinetic profile, which is essential when treating patients who may have altered metabolism due to illness. Other options like aspirin, clopidogrel, and macrolide antibiotics are not indicated for this purpose. Aspirin is typically used for pain relief or anticoagulation, clopidogrel is an antiplatelet agent, and macrolide antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. None of these medications target the psychotic symptoms associated with delirium, making haloperidol the most appropriate choice in this context.