Signs of excited delirium include which of the following combinations:

• A. slurred speech, bradycardia, and a high fever.
• B. pallor, hypotension, and constricted pupils.
• C. diaphoresis, tachycardia, and hallucinations.
• D. subdued behavior, crying, and suicidal thoughts.

Answer: (C)

Excited delirium involves extreme agitation and altered mental status driven by a surge of sympathetic activity. A key clue is the presence of sweating (diaphoresis), a fast pulse (tachycardia), and perceptual disturbances like hallucinations. Together, these signs reflect a hyperadrenergic state with delirium, which is exactly what the chosen combination shows.

Other options don’t fit this profile as well. Slurred speech with a slow pulse and high fever can occur in different scenarios, but the bradycardia isn’t typical of excited delirium. Pallor, low blood pressure, and constricted pupils point toward overdose states such as opioids. Subdued behavior with crying and suicidal thoughts align more with mood disorders than with the acute, agitated delirium described here.

If you suspect excited delirium, treat it as a medical emergency: ensure safety, monitor breathing and circulation, seek urgent medical care, and manage cooling and hydration as appropriate.