ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a case of a 72-year-old man who is admitted to try to achieve better control of his diabetes which has to date been controlled using diet. If he is agitated because of an underlying medical issue, that needs to be addressed first. It will also be necessary to look carefully at his medication as steroids, anticholinergics, barbiturates, amphetamines and antipsychotics may all cause agitation. He is orientated in time, place and person. He is able to repeat back the names of three objects that you identify for him. He is able to spell WORLD backwards though requires two attempts. He is also able to do the serial sevens test but falters after four subtractions. There is nothing to suggest that he does not understand what is said to him. The first task is to identify what his agitation is related to. If he is agitated because of an underlying medical issue, that needs to be addressed first.
