08_Neurocognitive Disorders: Delirium

Question 1

Delirium:

Diagnostic Criteria

Answer 1

Disturbance in attention and awareness

Develops within hours to a few days

1+ additional disturbance in cognition

Question 2

Delirium:

Attention/awareness disturbance characteristics

Answer 2

Change from baseline functioning

Fluctuates in severity throughout the day

Gets worse at night

Question 3

Delirium:

Cognition Disturbances

Answer 3

Impaired memory

Disorientation

Impaired language

Visuospatial deficits

Perceptual distortions

Question 4

Delirium:

Differential diagnosis

Answer 4

Is the direct physiological consequence of:

• medical condition
• substance intoxication or withdrawal
• exposure to a toxin

Must not occur in the context of a coma

Question 5

Five Groups of People At Elevated Risk for Delirium

Answer 5

Older adults

Individuals with dementia, stroke, or HIV

Post-cardiology patients

Burn patients

Benzo or alcohol withdrawal

Question 6

5 Medical conditions that may cause Delirium

Answer 6

Systemic infections

Metabolic disorders

Fluid and electrolyte imbalances

Post-operative states

Head trauma

Question 7

Groups at highest risk to develop Delirium as a result of medical illness or surgery

Answer 7

Older adults: Highest risk

Followed by Young children

Question 8

Delirium:

Two primary goals of treatment

Answer 8

Treat underlying cause

Reduce agitated behaviors

Question 9

Delirium:

Methods to reduce Agitated Behaviors

Answer 9

Environment that minimizes disorientation

Calm and friendly family or staff member stays with patient

Haloperidol or other antipsychotic drug