Acute Confusion Flashcards
What is the Lasting Power of Attorney?
A legal document allowing an individual to appoint one or more people to help make decisions or to make decisions on the donor’s behalf in the future event of a lack of mental capacity. 2 Types: health and welfare, and property & financial affairs
In acute confusion, what might U&Es show?
Hyponatraemia and Uraemia can cause acute confusion
In acute confusion, what might FBC show?
Raised WBC in keeping with infection
In acute confusion, what might LFTs show?
Acute hepatic failure can cause confusion (encephalopathy)
In acute confusion, what might CRP show?
Raised if infection
In acute confusion, what might TSH show?
Myxoedema crisis
In acute confusion, what might BM show?
Diabetic ketoacidosis
In acute confusion, what might bone profile show?
Hypercalcaemia and hypocalcaemia can cause confusion
In acute confusion, what might haematinics show?
B12 deficiency can cause confusion; but not normally acute
Hyponatraemia can be caused by…
ACE inhibitors, diuretics, antidepressants, and PPIs
What are the potential causes of hyponatraemia if a pt is dehydrated and has urinary Na >20mmol/L?
Renal Na loss: Addison’s, Renal failure, Diuretic excess, Osmolar diuresis
What are the potential causes of hyponatraemia if a pt is dehydrated and does not have urinary Na >20mmol/L?
Loss not from the kidneys but elsewhere: diarrhoea, vomiting, fistulae, burns, small-bowel obstruction, trauma, CF, heat exposure
What are the potential causes of hyponatraemia if a pt is not dehydrated is not oedematous?
If urine osmolality >500mmol/kg: inappropriate ADH (e.g. lung Ca)
If not: water overload, severe hypothyroidism, glucocorticoid insufficiency
What are the potential causes of hyponatraemia if a pt is not dehydrated is oedematous?
Nephrotic syndrome, cardia failure, cirrhosis, renal failure
