Mr. Delaney is a 68-year-old man who has type 2 diabetes and hypertension. He takes metformin to control his blood sugar and he recently started taking furosemide to control his blood pressure. Lately, Mr. Delaney's wife has noticed that he seems confused and sometimes lethargic. Last week, while he was taking a walk around their own neighborhood, he took a wrong turn and had to call his wife to come and pick him up in her car. Based on this information, which of the following nutritional deficiencies is the likely cause of Mr. Delaney's altered mental status?

Question

Multiple Choice
Vitamin K deficiency
Zinc deficiency
Iron-deficiency anemia
Lack of water (dehydration)

Answer 1

Considering Mr. Delaney's situation, the most likely cause of his altered mental status, particularly given his background of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and recent use of furosemide (a diuretic), is lack of water (dehydration).

Furosemide can lead to increased urination and potential electrolyte imbalances, which can contribute to confusion and lethargy. Dehydration can significantly impact cognitive function, especially in older adults.

While vitamin K, zinc, and iron deficiencies can cause various health issues, they are less likely to directly cause acute confusion and lethargy compared to dehydration in this specific context.