9.1.2 Delirium Flashcards
What is delirium?
Acute confusional state, associated with a variety of insults to the brain which may cause neuronal damage and inflammation
Often reversible, due to organic cause
What can increase the chance of delirium occurring?
Dementia can predispose to epidoes of delirium
What are the features of delirium?
- Rapid onset of confusion
- Clouded consciousness (may be drowsy)
- Fluctuating course
- Transient visual hallucinations
- Exaggerated emotional responses- aggression
Caffeine Can Fuel Early Hours
Confusion
Clouded consciousness
Fluctuating course
Exaggerated emotional responses
Hallucinations
What are the different types of delirium?
Hypoactive
Hyperactive
What are the features of hypoactive delirium?
Withdrawn
Quiet
Sleepy
More likely to be missed or confused with something else
What are the features of hyperactive delirium?
Restless
Agitated
Aggressive
Rapidly fluctuating mood
Persecutory delusions
Symptoms worse at start and end of the day
Why are symptoms of delirium worse at the start and end of the day?
Changes in endogenous cortisol levels
What are the causes of delirium?
Nutritional
- Vitamin deficiencies
Intracranial
- Strokes, TIAs, epilepsy, infection
Extracranial infections
- UTI
- Pneumonia
Iatrogenic
- Infections
- Drugs
Alcohol
- Intoxication
- Withdrawal
Endocrine
- Thyroid
- Pancreas
Metabolic
- Hypoxia
- Renal
- Hepatic
Simple list of delirium causes
How does alcohol withdrawal cause delirium?
Changes in GABA and NMDA receptors which are caused by long term alcohol consumption
How is delirium managed?
Find and treat underlying cause
What is the prognosis of delirium?
Increases risk of dementia
Associated with mortality
Long hospital stays, high risk of re-admission
Complete the table
