Ageing Flashcards
What is delirium?
An acute confusional state that can lasts for 4-6 weeks
What are the 4 components of delirium?
Disturbance in attention
Change in cognition
Over a short period
Fluctuates during the day
What are the other DDx with delirium?
Anxiety
Depression
What are the two pathophysiological reasons for delirium?
Direct toxic insults e.g. drugs, hypoxia, low Na, low glucose
Aberrant stress response e.g. cortisol
What are the 4 predisposing factors to delirium?
- Dementia/Stroke/Learning difficulties
- Post-op (esp Hip)
- Elderly
- Co-morbidity
Precipitating factors for delirium
P-Pain
I-Infection
N-Nutrition and neurological insults
C-Constipation and catheterisation (due to urinary retention)
H-Hypoglycaemia, hypoxia, hydration, hypo/hyperthyroidism
M-Medication (polypharmacy)
E-Environment
ALCOHOL
What does hypoactive delirium look like?
Withdrawn, Apothetic, Sleepy
What does hyperactive delirium look like?
Agitated, aggressive, wandering, insomnia
What is used to diagnose delirium?
4AT, CAM
What are the components fo 4AT?
Alertness
Abbreviated mental test
Attention
Acute change or fluctuating course
What are the components of CAM
1+2 + 3 OR 4
1- Acute onset and fluctuations
2- Inattention
3-Disorganised thinking
4-Altered level of consciousness
Management for delirium?
Nurse in a well lit quiet room with the same nursing team present
Check they have hearing aids and glasses with them
Minimise medication when possible
Haloperidol if v agitated
What word described the body reaction to the drugs
Pharmokinetics
What word describes the drug action on the body?
Pharmodynamics
What does DOACs stand for?
Direct Oral anticoagulant
3 examples of acidic drugs
Phenytoin
Aspirin
Peniclillin
3 examples of basic drugs
Diazepam
Morphine
Pethidine
What is the basic principle for absorption?
Acidic drugs need an acidic environment
Basic drugs need a basic environment
In older people there is a much more basic environment. Why is this?
Less gastric parietal cells therefore they absorb they absorb more of basic drugs
TRUE/FALSE
There is decreased small bowel surface area in elderly people
TRUE
What protein binds to acidic drugs?
Albumin
What protein binds to basic drugs?
a-1 acid glycoprotein
TRUE/FASLE
Elderly tend to have low albumin but higher a-1 AG
TRUE
Why is there an increase in volume of distribution (and therefore longer half-lives) of lipophilic drugs in elderly patients?
As elderly people in proportion to muscle mass have more fat
What is the most important change in terms of distribution of drugs?
Decreased body water (10-15%)
Therefore lower volume fo distribution of lipophilic drugs