Aged Care

Question 1

How is the diagnosis of delirium made?

Answer 1

Delirium is a CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS
Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)
1) Acute onset and fluctuating
2) Inattention
3) Disorganised thinking
4) Altered conscious state

(Dx requires 1+2 and either 3 OR 4)

Question 2

List the causes of delirium

Answer 2

DELIRIUM:
Drugs (opiates, BZDs, AEDs, alcohol)
Deficiencies (B12/folate)
Electrolyte imbalances (Na, Glu, Ureamia)
Lacking medicaiton
Infection
Reduced sensory input
Intracranial path. (stroke/CA)
Urinary/faecal retention
Myocardial or Pulmonary